Phone Etiquette for the Modern Girl

Our cellular phones have become an extension of ourselves. We constantly upgrade them to make sure that we have the latest and coolest gadget there is. We fill them up with various mobile apps that help us manage our daily lives, entertain us during idle moment and help us stay in touch 24/7. It has definitely become an essential part of our daily lives, but that doesn’t mean that we can forget about the basic etiquette of using phones. Start becoming a considerate cell phone user now by simply following these basic rules as you use your phones.

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  1. Turn it Off When You Are in Movie Theatres. Sure, we all see the pre-movie reminder about turning our phones off or putting it to silent mode before the show starts, but that reminder still doesn’t stop some people from constantly checking their phones and even texting during the not-so engaging scenes of the movie.

 

Although sound isn’t an issue here, understand that the bright light of your phone’s screen can distract your fellow moviegoers who are sitting just few rows behind you. If you simply can’t go on without checking your phone for an hour or two, then don’t subject other people to it as well – especially if you forgot to set it in silent mode and Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off” comes blaring across the room.

 

  1. Stop Yourself From Documenting Every Single Thing. Sure it’s tempting to document every moment of the must-see concert you’re attending now, but think of how much you’re missing out as you focus on getting that one perfect shot. Think of the things you’ll miss while you upload that shot in your social media accounts.

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By all means, take photos of the moments you want to share but don’t get so caught up in doing it that you end up missing out the experience that’s just right before you. The people behind you will definitely thank you as well for not blocking their view every few minutes just to take some photos.

 

  1. Put Your Cellular Phone Down. We all know one person who’s overly attached with their phone that they find it hard to put the gadget down even for just a couple of minutes. You know the type: They have to constantly check their emails, respond to texts, or update their social media account several times a day. Basically, they live through their cellular phones and you’re just second to their gadget.

 

As much as possible, don’t be that type of person to others. If you made plans with your friends, be in the moment and enjoy one another’s company. Remember that these are all fleeting moments, so learn to make the most out of the time you spend together so that your memories are of these wonderful people, and not the ones seen through their up-to-the-minute social networking accounts.

 

  1. Keep Your Phone Conversations to Yourself. There is just nothing worse than trying to relax in a coffee shop, or standing in a checkout counter, and hearing a one-sided conversation of someone who simply doesn’t know the use of indoor voice. Understand that nobody cares about what you’re planning to eat tonight, or if your boss is acting like a jerk today. Be considerate to the people around you and learn to keep the volume of your phone down. If possible, call the person back later or move to a more private area as you take their call.

By being so fixated with the pint-sized dynamos that we use every day, it’s really easy to just throw out the basic cell phone etiquette out of the window. Still, this will never be an acceptable excuse. So start becoming a smarter and more considerate phone user by keeping these basic rules in mind, especially when you’re using your gadget around other people.

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