“Don’t chew with your mouth open!” “Elbows off the table!” “Don’t stare!” These old-world societal etiquette rules, while still applicable, are being heard less as people try to establish a new set of rules to deal with the latest dominant societal system: technology.
As the Blackberry, text messaging and Twitter take precedent over family dinners, verbal discussions and personal interaction, circumstance would have it that rules be developed to help define what is viewed as appropriate and not so appropriate decorum with these technologies.
The assumption that Americans are glued to their electronic devices is an understatement. According to a June 2009 Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA) survey, more than 89 percent of Americans (276.6 million) own cellular devices. The survey went on to report that Americans talk for more than 2.2 trillion minutes and send more than 1.36 trillion text messages annually.
“My cell phone is the single most important thing I own, after certain necessities like food and clothes,” said Natelegé Whaley, a junior print journalism major. As cell phones go from being a prevalent force in daily communication to the dominant one, nuisances and pet peeves are subsequently becoming more noticeable and thus generating more opinions on ways to regulate them.
But what exactly are these cell phone pet peeves?
“There are lots of small things about your cell phone that can become really annoying,” said Jovonne Harris, a sophomore radio, TV and film major. “People who talk too loud on them in public, don’t know when to text; people who overuse ‘LOL’ in their texts; there are so many, most of them dealing with texting!” Harris knows all too well about the small annoyances of cell phones and text messaging.
The range of nuisances run the gamut, but most deal with talking too loudly on the phone, poor texting jargon and texting at inappropriate times. The latter seems to be the most prevalent. “I am guilty of sometimes texting when I know I shouldn’t” said Taylor Bryan, a sophomore economics major. “During meetings, at work, while on dates; it’s addicting.”
Addiction or not, etiquette expert Caroline Tiger, sees texting during inappropriate times as unacceptable. Tiger recently discussed the problem with the Philadelphia Inquirer, stating,
“I don’t think people should be texting in situations where people deserve to be listened to. People shouldn’t have to be in a conversation or looking out at a group and see people with their heads bowed clicking away on their cell phone or BlackBerry.”
Harris said the problem that annoys him most is the excessive use of ‘LOL.’ ‘LOL,’ an abbreviation for the term “laugh (or laughing) out loud,” is a quick way of expressing ones amusement at something during texting, but is sometimes used for other reasons.
“I definitely overuse ‘LOL.’ It’s a good way to ease tension and make light of a situation,” said Calvin Seino, a sophomore informations systems major. “I might actually be a little annoyed or upset with a person, but adding ‘LOL’ on the end relieves some of the tension.”
While some tensions are eased by ‘LOL,’ countless others are aggravated by various cell phone abuses and wait for the day when people understand what is and is not acceptable decorum with cell phones. “I really wish someone could write a book on the do’s and don’ts of cell phones,” Harris said. “Everyone could use that.”
Here at The Hilltop, we didn’t write a book, but we do have a few cell phone etiquette tips that can be put into good use to avoid any static with those around you:
Lay Off the LOL!
You’re not Elmo; you’re not laughing at everything. Overusing LOL can confuse people on your true meanings, and that is never a good thing.
Yak! Don’t Yell
Personal conversations should be just that. The world doesn’t want to hear about how drunk you were last night, who you’re dating or why your mom won’t send you a care package.
Know when to text
Texting on the bus, in between class, while relaxing in your bedroom are all acceptable. During an interview or on a date, not so much!
Ringtone Regulate!
Blasting “Becky” by Plies every time you get a phone call at work? You may want to reconsider.
Beware of the Bluetooth
This should only be on your ear when you’re talking to someone. In all other situations, you look utterly ridiculous and a little crazy. No one likes people who talk to themselves.
Screen Selectively
I know you’re tired of your girlfriend calling you everyday to complain about her boyfriend. But don’t ignore her calls too often. She’s not going to believe your phone is on low battery at 10 a.m.
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