Etiquette from Connecticut: Mind Your Cell Phone!

While Peachy Deegan was rubbing Mr. Sandman out of her eyes this morning, she heard Upcoming Mover and Shaker Lonnie Quinn on Channel 2 CBS speaking about cell phone -or mobile phone for our readers across the pond!- manners and she could not have been more pleased.

In a city as populated as Manhattan, it is so important to mind our cell phone manners when we are all living on top of each other!

Peachy Deegan's Cell Phone Etiquette:

When you are speaking on your cell phone in private, that is your business. When you bring your conversations into the public space, you become everyone's business!

Please do not yell! We live in a city that is loud enough my dears.

On public transportation, use cell phones VERY quietly, or in emergencies only.

When you are navigating yourself and talking on your cell phone, please be aware of your navigational responsibilities and avoid causing accidents. We were horrified to see a mother pushing a baby carriage with an additional toddler walking aside her, crossing the street, not looking where she was going, and talking on her cell phone...

If you are in crowds, please keep your conversations to a minimum-the same if you are in line. If everyone is packed in a space, there is a reason usually and everyone else cannot escape your conversation, which may not be of interest to the overall group!

If your conversations are seriously interesting, be aware that strange people may come up behind you and listen while you are walking down the street. Just this past weekend, Peachy was walking down the street and no one was in front of her, no one was aside of her, and she was addressing an incoming international call. Much to her surprise, some Mr./Ms. Creepy, walking oh so quietly, was tailgating her, and was less than a foot behind her! And heard it all. And Mr./Ms. Creepy gave her quite the look, which she returned. Remember to look behind you too to be aware of your audience.

Do not speak at length in restaurants. If you need to, be nice and apologize. One person did this in our presence and even got us dessert as he was so embarrassed by his lengthy business call. We would have preferred quiet but some nice chocolate makes us peacemakers!

And...when in doubt about offending others, perhaps TEXT.

Happy Tuesday!