Mobile Etiquette

Be safe. Be responsible. Have fun!

Nowadays, everyone has a mobile phone either for professional or private use or both. Surely it is a very practical way to be reachable at any time of the day or night. However, it can quickly become a curse if not used appropriately. Here are some general rules and regulations to be respected when in possession of a mobile phone.

Safe Driving

Most people appreciate the advantages of having their mobile phone with them in the car. Mobiles provide safety and security, especially when out alone or at night. But using a hand-held phone while driving is distracting and can be very dangerous.

Just follow this simple advice and you can stay in touch on the move in complete safety.

Using your mobile safely on the road:

1. Never use a hand-held phone while driving. It can be dangerous.
2. Don't dial and drive. If you need to ring someone, pull over first. You can't keep an eye on the road and the keypad at the same time.
3. Save the call until later. Use your Voicemail service to save calls until later, when you've parked or finished the journey. It's easy to use and a great way to ensure you won't miss any important messages.
4. If in doubt pull over. Hands-free devices may be better than holding the phone in your hand but the call itself can still be distracting. You should still take the time to stop the car safely.
5. Never try to use text, picture or Internet services while driving. Keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel.
6. Avoid stressful calls. A difficult call is distracting even with a hands-free device. Explain that you are driving and you'll call back.
7. Never try to take down notes or phone numbers. Lack of concentration even for a brief period, is dangerous and you could be breaking the law. At 50 km/h, a car will travel 14 metres in just one second.

Being civilian in public

It is true that the whole point of using a mobile phone is to allow you to be reachable anywhere anytime. However, people around you may not appreciate being told that you "are on the bus" or that you "are nearly there". Similarly, the advantage of talking on the phone is that you can communicate as if the person to whom you are talking was right next to you. So there is no need to shout.

Please go through our simple tips in order to be a better mobile phone user.

Using your mobile in public places without disturbing anyone:

1. Always put your mobile in silent mode or switch it off when entering a hospital or a clinic and never use it in these places. The ringtone will surely disturb the patients as well as your talking inside. Also, signals might interfere with vital equipment.
2. Remember to put your mobile in silent mode or to switch it off when attending a funeral or a wedding ceremony. These events require your full attention and respect. If during a funeral, the family of the deceased might not appreciate the disturbance caused by a ringtone.
3. Never use your mobile in religious places where silence and respect are required.
4. Switch off your mobile when entering cinemas or theatres in order not to disturb the show and the people around you. They have come to enjoy a movie with their family or friends and they certainly would not appreciate hearing a ringtone just at the crucial moment of the film.
5. Avoid using your phone in places where it is usually prohibited like museums or banks.
6. Many restaurants, clubs, cinemas, theatres, museums and banks have a "No Mobile" sign. Please pay heed to these signs.

Work in a sound environment

Nowadays, everybody would say that it is impossible for them to carry out their businesses without their mobile phone. But you agree that even on your place of work a mobile phone may be disturbing and distracting for you and your colleagues.

Using your mobile phone at work:

1. When entering a meeting, ensure that your mobile is switched off or put on silent mode. Even when left on vibration mode it could be heard by other participants in the meeting which is just as annoying as hearing a ringtone.  When this happens you have to excuse yourself and refuse the call. Meetings are part and parcel of business and colleagues and clients are used to that. You will not be losing any business just because you were unavailable for an hour. To be on the safe side, you can just update your voicemail message explaining that you are currently in a meeting and can't take calls but that you'll return any calls as soon as the meeting is over. If you have absolutely no choice, have the courtesy to explain to the people attending the meeting that you will have to take a particular call, and when the latter comes in, discreetly excuse yourself from the room. Explain to your caller that you are in a meeting and that you will have to keep it brief.
2. While attending or making a presentation you are also required to switch off your mobile for the same reasons as stated above.
3. It also happens quite often that people attending job interviews do not switch off their mobile phone. This may not be appreciated by your future employer and shows a lack of consideration for him on your part.