Will cell phone courtesy month work?

Over 250 million cell phone subscribers in the US will be urged to pay attention to their manners when it comes to using their cell phones in public this month. July is National Cell Phone Month, a time to put the cell phone on mute during movies and not text during summer school.

Etiquette expert and author Jacqueline Whitmore who gets several calls a day from CEOs wanting to polish their phone manners and communication skills created the event in 2002 hoping to encourage cell phone users to watch those around them.

When you walk into a restaurant it is hard not to notice the increasingly popular texting and loud remarks of those on their cell phones. I must admit that although I try to have good etiquette I often find myself texting during a movie or talking in my "reporter voice" at a restaurant.

In order to begin the process of giving good manners to America, Whitmore says we should take the following steps:

1. Be all there. When you’re in a meeting, performance, courtroom or other busy area, let calls go to voicemail to avoid a disruption. In some instances, turning your phone off may be the best solution.

2. Keep it private. Be aware of your surroundings and avoid discussing private or confidential information in public. You never know who may be in hearing range.

3. Keep your cool. Don’t display anger during a public call. Conversations that are likely to be emotional should be held where they will not embarrass or intrude on others.

4. Learn to vibe. Use your wireless phone’s silent or vibration settings in public places such as business meetings, religious services, schools, restaurants, theaters or sporting events so that you do not disrupt your surroundings.

5. Avoid “cell yell.” Remember to use your regular conversational tone when speaking on your wireless phone. People tend to speak more loudly than normal and often don’t recognize how distracting they can be to others.

6. Follow the rules. Some places, such as hospitals or airplanes, restrict or prohibit the use of mobile phones, so adhere to posted signs and instructions. Some jurisdictions may also restrict mobile phone use in public places.

7. Excuse yourself. If you are expecting a call that can’t be postponed, alert your companions ahead of time and excuse yourself when the call comes in; the people you are with should take precedence over calls you want to make or receive.

8. Send a message. Use Text Messaging to send and receive messages without saying a single word.

9. Watch and listen discreetly. New multimedia applications such as streaming video and music are great ways to stay informed and access the latest entertainment. However, adjust the volume based on your surroundings in much the same way that you would adjust your ringer volume. Earphones are a great way to avoid distracting others in public areas.

10. Alert silently. When using your phone’s walkie-talkie feature, send the person you’re trying to reach a Call Alert before starting to speak. If you’re around other people, turn off your phone’s external speaker and use the vibration setting to minimize any disturbance and to respect your contact’s privacy.

Now all we need to do is make hands free headsets in the car a National law...maybe then we can be completely well mannered.

Information from prleap.com