by CaCee Walsh

Created on: August 04, 2008

We've all been there, out with your friend and forced to twiddle your thumbs as they have a rousing conversation with someone else on their cell phone. Or hanging out in group of people with great conversation flowing except for the one or two people who randomly drop out of the communication flow so they can send text messages back and forth to someone off in cyber space, or even worse to people right there in the group. Thereby having some secret cyber conversation between themselves while excluding the rest of the group. Then there are the ones who put their own safety and the safety of others at risk in order to satisfy their compulsion to text and talk at all times and in all situations, such as while driving down the road. So what is the proper edict when it comes to cell phones and where do you draw the lines in regards to safety?

I don't think Miss Manners had to worry about Cell phone edict when she was writing her book on manners. Common sense dictates a few things though, one of them being that if you are spending time with someone whether it is a friend, family member, or colleague they deserve to be the focus of your attention. Constantly answering your cell phone and replying to text messages tells the person you are with that they are either not as important as the folks calling you or that their company is not interesting enough for you to forego outside communications. Are there times when answering incoming calls or texts is appropriate? Of course, but you should always offer a short explanation and an apology in those situations, then keep the conversation or text messaging as brief as possible.

So here's the long and the short boys and girls, Cell phones rock, text messaging is great, but it's human connections that satisfy and sustain us. Manners and edict are the lubes that ease the gears that make those relationships work. Whether it's a social gathering or a place of work, put your phone on very quiet or vibrate. Show some respect and refrain from answering it unless you're expecting a call, it's your kids, your sitter, or work related, otherwise whoever it is will probably leave a message if they want to talk to you bad enough and you can call them back when it's more convenient. Also save your text messaging conversations for a time when you're not engaged in conversation, social activity or at work. Most important cell phones and driving don't mix, so PLEASE refrain from using your phone while behind the wheel. We all do it, even me, yakking on the phone at the expense of our ability to drive in a cautious and courteous manner or swerving around on the road as you attempt to read and send text while driving. Let's use the brains God gave us and go back to the good old days when we didn't have all these fancy gadgets to distract us from the road. Cell phones are supposed to help make this world a better place and they can if you use them responsibly and with courtesy.

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