Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Thiruvananthapuram
Visakhapatnam
The cell phone abusers
|
Basic cell phone etiquette to avoid embarrassments.
|
THE LIGHTS of the auditorium were dimming ever so slowly. The traditional brass lamp was shimmering in the subdued lighting of the stage. The pleasant waft of the incense mingled with the fragrance of the jasmine flowers around the Dancing Nataraja permeated the auditorium.The only sound was the tinkling sounds from the ankle bells of the still unseen danseuse and the orchestra coming alive softly. One could sense the expectations of the audience swelling. Then it happened! Rrrnnggg! Rrrnnggg!!! "Hellooo, Hellooo"! The ubiquitous cell phones are coming alive! The loud conversation follows with complete disregard for the present setting, breaking the spell. These people not only stole an exquisite experience from others, but also decided to thrust you into their personal or business life. Many times you become an unwilling party to sizzling conversations. Cell phones, voice mail, laptops, voice massaging, e-mails, personal digital assistants, all have made our lives easier - and crazier.
It is hard to imagine that we all lived communicable lives without all these gadgets. But ask anyone who has at least one of these electronic gizmos to live without it, and the reaction will be a very strong, "No way"! A cell phone is comparable to cigarette smoking. You suffer a cell phone user just as a second hand smoker. Your senses are assaulted whether you like it or not. So, about time everyone became aware of the basic cell phone etiquette. There are situations when the cell phone needs to be switched off or put in the vibrate mode. A list of situations where the cell phone must be in the "off" position.
Movie theatres, auditoriums, places of worship - people are there to enjoy the experience and not to listen to you.
During a business meeting or business entertaining - extremely distracting and counterproductive.
During seminars, training or classroom sessions - shows disrespect for the whole class.
While dining in a restaurant - again your fellow diners are enjoying an evening out with their friends and family, do not intrude upon them.
While driving - it is dangerous.
While travelling by plane - it interferes with the radio communications that all airlines strictly prohibit the usage of cell phones once the engines are turned on.
If you are indeed expecting an important call that absolutely cannot be postponed, alert the people you are with ahead of time.
In short, please use your common sense. If you do receive a call, please excuse yourself and move away from the public area. Talk in a normal conversational tone. Use your judgment. The people you are with always take precedence over the call. Ask yourself , "am I intruding upon others?" If the answer is yes, then you really know what to do!
CHITRA DANGER
e-mail: proetique@yahoo.co.in
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Thiruvananthapuram
Visakhapatnam
|
