Janet CollinsSmart Phones and Etiquette
July 1st 2009 07:31
Smart phone technology has generated a lot of debate about rules and manners and the obsession with staying online or connected twenty-four hours a day.
The constant fiddling with mobile phones during meetings and presentations is now forcing companies to draw up rules for the use of them, something that has been neglected for too long some executives say. Some managers have become so irritated by the constant fiddling on phones they are even banning them from meetings.
Those on one side of the argument believe being permanently connected is the way of the new millennium even that switching off, even if in a meeting or a presentation, can only result in lost sales or opportunities.
On the other side of the argument are those who have been annoyed and irritated far too often by people sending texts, accessing emails or jumping on to their Facebook or Twitter sites on their Blackberrys or iPhones with no regard for the person addressing a meeting or making a presentation.
Enough is enough is what they are saying and calls are being made for a new rule book, an etiquette guide if you like, for how and when to use the smart phone.
I have to agree, I am more with the second camp. I know that in this age that forces us to work in the minute, attention should always be paid to good manners and fiddling with or sending texts on a mobile phone in company or in a meeting or a presentation to me is just plain bad manners.
Having said that, I often wonder why we have live meetings or live presentations at all these days. Everyone is so obsessed with being on line – and many would rather be online than in any live meeting anyway – you have to wonder what the point of any meeting is anyway. Why don’t they just do these on line too?
Smart phone technology, such as the Blackberry or iPhone, has turned our mobile phones into something of a mini-office. That’s not to say that the fiddling and tapping away on mobile phones was absent before we had this technology. Sending texts when in meetings or presentations has long annoyed and irritated many who want audience focus and participation.
It’s just that the smart phone technology has almost justified impolite behaviour. It is saying “I’ve got something more important to attend to than this presentation”.
Over in the USA, some business leaders and political heavyweights are fed up with what they see as rude and blatant use of new technology they are rewriting the rule book. The Creative Artists Agency and United Talent Agency in Hollywood have banned Blackberrys in meetings and state Senate majority leader, Malcolm Smith, was recently asked to leave an important meeting discussing budget matters after he read his emails during the meeting.
Favour is tending towards smart phone use as more of a percentage of people use them for just about everything, all day, every day. They can even replace the old pen and notepaper in a meeting but people need to be a little cautious when using their smart phone for this purpose.
A client could easily misinterpret the note taking as chatting by text as one Manhattan talent-book agency found out recently. The founder and CEO was forced to justify and explain notes taken in a meeting after a client complained about the constant use of the phone by an employee during the meeting.
No matter what is decided as the blanket rule or etiquette in the use of today’s mobile phones when in the company of others, there will have to be some consensus. Otherwise, misunderstandings such as the one just mentioned are going to be everyday occurrences and that can eliminate all of the benefits that the smart phone technology have given us.
Do you use your mobile phone in meetings?
Sourced: The New York Times
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Comment by Jason King
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Comment by Aimee Dent
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Comment by Janet Collins
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Along with the great benefits technology has given us, we have had to pay a price and this is the invasion the technology has made on our personal lives. Sometimes, like you, I wish I could just switch off, particularly in my personal time.
I'm glad you agree with me on the use of mobile phones in meetings.
Your comments are always constructive. Thank you.
Comment by Janet Collins
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Unfortunately, some people have never learned the rules - particularly those who have grown up with mobile phones. Sacking may be a little harsh don't you think? Perhaps they could be given a serious warning first.
Thanks for dropping in.
Comment by Aimee Dent
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Comment by Janet Collins
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You are right in that it is not an employer's responsibility to educate staff on plain and ordinary etiquette but there is something to be said of rules, I think. They make things clear about what is acceptable and what is not and they take away any ambiguity about the whole thing.
As you can see, I am a bit "old school" and rules put things into black and white. That is not to say your point does not have merit. It is just that some people just don't get it.
Thanks again.
Comment by Morgan Bell
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i really wish i had a Blackberry, ideal for when you are waiting and want to waste time
Comment by Janet Collins
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According to a lot of reports, we all seem to be in the minority. I have seen people use them in meetings, sometimes hiding them under the table but it is obvious what they are doing.
I wouldn't mind a Blackberry too, although it would take me ages to be able to use it properly
Thanks.
Comment by Natalina
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When I hold meetings at work, I don't allow phones. I had one gal claim she was using her phone to take notes, and I walked to where she was standing and handed her a pencil and paper.
My brother who is in college told me that in classes, everyone is constantly on their cell phones texting. I can't believe it is allowed.
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Comment by Cheryl J
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We also have a rule that if there are possible personal emergencies, they can leave their phones on, such as sick family members, wives that may go into labour at any moment. Believe it or not, both of those happen frequently as well! I've seen men frantically leaving a meeting when their wives go into labour early
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Comment by Janet Collins
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I think texting can be a good thing - particularly for personal messages. You don't have to worry about the time and people can look at it whenever they want. However, I don't see the point in coming to a meeting a spending the whole time talking to someone else via text messaging.
Re: the note taking - I think using mobile phones for this purpose has gone to the ridiculous.
Thank you for dropping by and your constructive comment.
Comment by Janet Collins
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I always picked you for a polite person. I agree, if you are going to a meeting turn off from everything else unless it is absolutely necessary.
Thank you.
Comment by Janet Collins
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Thank you for that clear explanation. There will always be times when leaving a phone on is necessary and being able to receive messages even more so - and you give some really good examples.
Even so, texting seems to have taken over our lives and no-one (people who have commented here exempted) seems to have any idea how rude it really is to engage in another conversation during a meeting or presentation.
Thank you for sharing your personal experiences and - welcome back. Good to see you around.
Comment by Janet Collins
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Looks like a pretty good phone I must say. Thank you for sharing your opinion here. I think new rules may make it easier for bosses to deal with the problem. That way they won't have to single out any person and everyone is aware what is, and what is not, accepted.
It would make it easier all round I think.
Thanks for dropping in.