Mobile phones have become commonplace in our society, but they aren’t welcome every place.
People increasingly have become annoyed listening to others’ ringing phones and loud conversations in restaurants, on trains and even in movie theaters. And many business owners have had enough, deciding to ban cellular telephones from their establishments.
The wireless industry has o whisper or talk softly, and walk to the vestibule and talk softly there,” said Brucker.
As proposed legislation in several states threatens to ban mobile phone use in vehicles, the wireless industry seems more preoccupied with safety campaigns than etiquette problems. But as Brucker points out, “There is something of a groundswell of people that see the cellular telephone as the enemy.”
Industry experts believe etiquette is something all carriers should begin teaching before everyone hates these little communication devices and more businesses ban their use.
“This is rolled into other things like siting issues. It’s only going to get worse,” said Swasey. “The efforts to really teach proper use of a wireless phone have been superficial at best and sort of like the alcohol industry asking people to drink responsibly.”
SBC Communications Inc. and its subsidiaries last week launched an etiquette campaign aimed at teaching mobile phone users some manners. It has teamed up with Peggy Post-great-granddaughter in-law of noted etiquette authority Emily Post and author of etiquette books published by HarperCollins-to increase the need for proper wireless etiquette via media outreach and brochures.
“People don’t realize they are being inconsiderate,” said Post. “The problem is perceived to be the other guy, not me.”
Pacific Bell Wireless recently commissioned a random telephone survey of 417 Californians. The majority of wireless phone users gave themselves an “A” or “B” grade for their wireless phone manners, while mostly giving other mobile phone users failing grades.
Other findings of the survey show:
Nine in 10 people feel annoyed if a friend holds a loud conversation on their wireless phone while in their presence;
Seventy percent of people find it inconsiderate when someone speaks loudly on a wireless telephone in public places;
Fifty-nine percent of people said it’s more unpleasant to sit next to someone talking on a wireless phone in a movie theater than to visit the dentist;
Fifty-two percent of people said it is difficult to leave their wireless phone unanswered even when other people are present.
“The key word is awareness,” said Post. “Then create along with that awareness, consideration and common sense.”
Post explains that advances in digital wireless technology provide a host of features that enable users to manage their phones and return to a level of politeness that would make even Emily Post proud.
“With options such as Caller ID, voice mail and vibrating batteries, it’s easy to use a wireless phone and still be considerate of those around you,” said Post.
Omnipoint has been selling a wireless etiquette book written by Peter Laufer since last year to help educate its customers on wireless manners.
“Our purpose with the book is to try to get the ball rolling to set some standards for fair usage,” said Grotland. “We want people to use our phones, absolutely, but use them with a bit of discretion and keep the people around you in mind … In the end, it is better for us to start setting some standards. Eventually, things will be there, but it’s better we do it quicker rather than dragging our feet.”
The Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association will kick off its wireless safety campaign in the coming weeks, but wireless etiquette in general won’t be a focus, said the association.
