I was out for dinner with one of my best friends on Tuesday night. As we ate the gentleman at the next table must have spent a good half hour taking a business call on his Blackberry. He raised his voice shouting into the phone which disrupted the area around him, This is just one problem which Smart Phones can cause. I thought I would spent some time talking about Smart Phone Safety and Etiquette so you can avoid problems like this gentleman had. Without delay the following is a list of things you can do to help yourself and others:
1. Do not chat and drive with a Smart Phone in your hand – Please use a hands free device or pull over if you need to make a call. This is a big safety issue. In many States And Provinces this is also illegal.
2. Do Not Text and Drive – This is also a safety hazard and also illegal in my states and provinces.
3. Do not make calls at a restaurant table – This is just plain rude. It is rude to the people you are with and it is also rude to the other people in the restaurant.
4. Be Careful what you say in public places – Watch what you say. Remember their are other people around you and you never know who is listening. I listened to one lady give her credit card on a cell phone call to the person on the other end. This was on a packed commuter train. Anyone on this train could have noted her cell phone number.
5. Do not overly check your email – Do not spend all day checking your email when out with friends. Remember they want to spend time with you – not your smart phone.
6. At The Movies/Show/Sports Even – put your smart phone on vibrate or silent and put it away. If you need to take a call excuse yourself and take it in the lobby so you do not disrupt other people.
Remember the key is to treat other people the way you want to be treated. The other key is not to become a slave to your device but to use it as a tool that can help you. How do you feel about Smart Phone Safety and Etiquette?
