by Jodie Kaine

Created on: July 02, 2007   Last Updated: December 08, 2011

Love them or hate them cell phones have rapidly become an essential communication tool in our society. The benefits these devices provide are clearly outranking the detriments or else we would not have seen such a proliferation of these gadgets in such a small amount of time.

Cell phones have become a mandatory social device in our daily lives. Leading me to quote on the few occasions I leave home without it, "I feel naked without my cell phone." From a safety perspective we do not question their value, obvious from the number of parents who feel peace of mind knowing that their children can contact them and they can contact their children no matter where they are.

Of course there will be many situations where one's cell phone use maybe deemed inappropriate, but many of these situations are not necessarily a black and white judgment call. Knowing when and how it is appropriate to use one's cell phone is a matter of personal behavior resulting from a consideration for others. Granted there is nothing more annoying than someone breaking into a loud conversation on their cell phone in a restaurant, and generally most would agree. However it seems an extreme measure to ban them completely when perhaps a more subtle or courteous approach to such unwanted activity maybe more effective.

At this point it is timely to look at how the Japanese tackle this issue. They do not approve of cell phone use in many public places in Japan including restaurants and on public transport and the vast majority of their sizable population follow the etiquette of not talking loudly on their cell phones in public venues. It is not uncommon to see small signs posted on walls in trains and restaurants requesting patrons to refrain from talking on their cell phone and it works. Such an approach is polite and effective, it obviously is enough to get the message across and for the tourists and others not familiar with this etiquette it is quickly and politely pointed out.

Is our community polite enough to recognize and respect such standards of cell use behavior? Potentially no, however implementing a ban in restaurants is an arbitrary solution. Will there be a fine for those ignoring the ban, if so who collects the proceeds? Will the ban be limited to restaurants? What about other public places? Are certain calls exempt, for example calling for an ambulance or police? These and many more questions will arise from such a ban being implemented.419

It is a failure to take other peoples feelings into consideration that is the problem. The obnoxious act of ranting on a cell phone within close proximity to others trying to enjoy a quality meal in a relaxing environment is most likely the same person who honks at you when you are taking too long at the petrol pump, who also forget to turn their phone onto silent mode when in a cinema and tends to think their time is more valuable than anyone else´s whilst waiting in queues. Lots of loud sighs and hrmmphs!

So for those in our community who are not as considerate as we would like, why not employ a sincere, clever or creative way to communicate the message. T-Shirts are a wonderful platform from which to express our views. One could be tempted to wear "Are you talking to me?" Restaurant owners should make the request to their patrons to refrain from using cell phones via their walls, menus or waiting staff as a courtesy to the other patrons. Most elements of social etiquette when dining have been around far longer than cell phones. Banning is an extreme option when a simple request will suffice.

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