Last Thursday I was thinking of what to post and it came to me as I looked at my cell phone, I said I will post about cell phone etiquette because it is newly formed pet peeve of mine. I know that many teens get a bad rep for poor behavior, but I will say ladies it is not just you some of us adults seem to not know when to put the device away. I find it very funny that I wanted to write on this subject and on Friday morning I turned to MTV and True Life comes on “I’m addicted to Texting”.
Due to this becoming a new found pet peeve I am still working on my own personal cell phone etiquette so don’t think I have the perfect etiquette, but trust me I am very particular of my behavior. Let’s begin our journey on Cell phone usage J
Cell phones are very handy don’t get me wrong, you have everything you need at your figure tips and communication is made easy. So what could be the problem? I’m going to break it down in section 1.Talking on a Cell/Taking a Call, 2.Text Messaging, 3.Taking Pictures/Video’s
Taking a Call:
So when do you take a call. In my profession youth come to meet with me for consultation on finding employment, I will get the occasional youth come in and answer their phones when they are meeting with me that is a NO, NO. When you are in meetings or on scheduled appointment you should never take a call, unless you are a doctor on call and inform the person you are meeting with that you are expecting an important call… I don’t meant form your best friend Nicole who is about to tell you the details of her seeing your ex-boyfriend Hakeem with Tiffany your use to be home girl.
Your phone should be on silent when you are in meetings, appointments, social gatherings, or out to dinner…I really hope you get the point. When you are at home or someone’s home you should never bring your cell phone to the table if you do make sure it is on silent and once again inform the host that you are expecting a call from a parent. A call or text message should never be taken/answered at the table.
When accepting a phone call excuse yourself from the people you are with and don’t take forever, I hate when I am with someone and they say excuse me I have to take this and they stay for longer than 5mins. Be considerate of your guest/person(s) you are with its just bad manners.
Places To Cut Your Chat Time:
- Elevator
- Bathroom
- Table
- Appointments/meetings
- In Class
Texting:
Let’s get One thing Clear There Is No Texting While Driving!!!!!!! Okay now that I have made myself clear, I think of all of my pet peeves texting is now my #1 issue I have with people period, but my lovely youngins that see everyday. Ladies I truly understand that texting is a better way of communicating especially because no one can hear what you are saying, but Really!??? When do you stop??
When I meet with my youth I can’t seem to have their full attention because of texting, facebooking, tweeting, etc.. so you know what I do?... You guessed it I have them put them away. Don’t get me wrong I text also, but when appropriate settings and times. I see youth texting when they are driving, working, in class, in meetings I’m not yelling I’m just sayin. Trust! I remember what it was like to be in a boring class with a monotone teacher lecture about history, math or something like that. I just want to bring to you attention that while you are texting you are not paying attention and sometimes yes LadyB has to check herself as well I am not perfect. Texting is truly an addiction, along with commenting on your status updates or answering your tweets. Don’t think I am passing judgment on my young followers because I have colleagues that do the same thing, checking emails, texting, checking sports stats..SMH
O but there is one more texting BIG TIME NO NO! Texting in church… Ladies, Ladies, Ladies… Ladies, Ladies, Ladies. Now this is my time to get real serious because I have seen this happen with my own four eyes (I wear contacts) Lol! Church is a place of worship not social networking again I don’t forget what it was to be young, but like I said there is a time and place. I know sometimes there is just something you are dying to say so you may write a note okay fine, but to keep it flowing Umm…No. Remember what you are in church for and that is learning how to live your daily lives, to receive from God, and to build your spiritual relationship with Him. Yes, I know this is so painful to hear, but somebody’s got to say it J I still love you.
(Note: I hope you know this applies to playing games as well? You’re not getting off that easy J)
We must realize in all things there has to be moderation. At the beginning I told you how I was watching and MTV segment of True Life “I’m Addicted to Text”, they followed two young ladies who text over 90,000 messages combined, to make a long story short their obsession with text caused one young lady her marriage because all she did was text, and the other young lady who was 17 a senior in High School on her volleyball team lost out on a college scholarship because she developed carpel tunnel which will likely affect her the rest of her life because it is a muscle injury…Something to think about.
I want my girls to be well rounded don’t forget about regular conversation practice the way you speak because you need these skills in the work place you can text a job interview. I will leave speaking alone for now that is a whole notha otha conversation. Be Blessed ladies and remember to give those cell phones a break at some point, and not just when you go to sleep J
~Lady B
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