| Cell phones have made their way into all aspects of | | | | is great for educational family time; however, spending |
| our culture in a, sometimes, rather invasive way. The | | | | most of the day glued to your cell phone is not only |
| constant use of cell phones has led many businesses | | | | inconsiderate of the needs of your family, but also to |
| to post signs stating that cell phone usage is prohibited | | | | others spending time in the zoos, aquariums, and |
| in their location. Following a few basic etiquette rules | | | | museums. Spend the time with your family, not with |
| about your cell phone usage will ensure that you never | | | | your cell phone. |
| offend those around you. | | | | School |
| Restaurants | | | | Middle schools and high schools have restricted the |
| There is now a growing trend among restaurants to | | | | usage of cell phones on their campus; often forbidding |
| institute a no cell phone policy during dining hours. | | | | cell phone usage outright. However, the restrictions in |
| Before sitting down, you might want to check the | | | | colleges are a little more lenient. Be considerate of not |
| restaurants policy on cell phone usage during the dinner | | | | only of the time of your lecturers but also of the time |
| service. If you absolutely have to be reachable during | | | | of your classmates; they are there to learn, not to |
| your dinner you can put your phone on vibrate so as | | | | listen to you telling your buddy all about your date last |
| not to disturb your dining companions. If you do accept | | | | night. |
| a call, speak softly and keep the calls brief; letting the | | | | Social Functions |
| caller on the other end know you are trying to enjoy | | | | If you are attending a party or even something as |
| dinner. | | | | informal as a backyard barbeque, it is just common |
| Movie Theatres | | | | courtesy to turn off your cell phone. If you are |
| Before the feature attraction starts, almost all movie | | | | expecting a phone call that cannot wait until after the |
| theatres display messages on the screen urging their | | | | social function, let your host know that you are |
| guests to be courteous and turn off their cell phones | | | | expecting a call. When you do receive the call be sure |
| for the duration of the movie. If you are waiting for an | | | | to excuse yourself politely to take the call; talking loudly |
| urgent message or phone call, turn your phone on | | | | on the phone while in someone else's home is beyond |
| vibrate and be sure to exit the theatre before | | | | inconsiderate; it's rude. |
| answering the call. No one wants to be the center of | | | | Hospital And Doctors Offices |
| attention for being the inconsiderate person who | | | | Most hospitals post signs instructing visitors to turn off |
| interrupts the movie. | | | | their cell phones; this is not necessarily because the |
| Restrooms | | | | phones interfere with sensitive equipment, even though |
| It may sounds unusual, but with the urge to be | | | | often they do. It is more because cell phones can |
| constantly reachable many cell phone users have | | | | interfere with patients who have to listen to someone |
| extended their cell phone use to include the moments | | | | talking loudly and rudely. Turn off your phone while in a |
| where they really should be considerate of the privacy | | | | hospital or doctors office, for the consideration of |
| of others! There are very few reasons to use your | | | | those around you. |
| cell phone when you are in a public restroom, be | | | | When you are in social situations, try to think of your |
| considerate not only of the other people in the public | | | | cell phone as only to be used in case of emergencies. |
| restroom but of the caller on the other end. | | | | All other phone calls can be sent to voicemail for |
| Zoos, Aquariums, Museums | | | | checking at a later point. |
| Spending a day with your family at a zoo or museum | | | | |