The Cell Phone Has Changed — New Etiquette Needed

CWmike writes to share a recent manners-rant that has some great gems about how not to be "that guy" on a cell phone. What rules of engagement are absolutely necessary and what social penalties should become standard practice for repeat offenders? "It's easy to be rude with a cell phone. A visitor from another planet might conclude that rudeness is a cell phone's main purpose. Random, annoying ring tones go off unexpectedly. People talk too loudly on cell phones in public because of the challenge of holding a conversation in a noisy environment with someone who's not present. Cell phones need their own rules of etiquette, or we'll descend into social barbarism."

Comments

Re:Rules 1 through 7 of using a Cell Phone

[Totenglocke]

Many of you will hate me for saying this, but I firmly believe it should be illegal for the driver to place and/or answer a cell phone while driving. Period!

I'm fine with that as long as you outlaw passengers (or at least interacting in any way with the passengers) and the radio / music as well. Both of those are just as distracting, if not more so, than a phone.

Then again, maybe it's because I drive a manual so I'm used to being much more focused on my driving, so on the rare occasions I talk on the phone, the phone is definitely NOT my priority.