25 February 2009 451 views No Comment Email This Post

Now, I know that as the owner of an Apple iPhone, you want to use it as often as possible, right. I mean, it's the worlds coolest gadget, so why wouldn't you want to be seen using. But there is some question on where and when is a good time to use your mobile, and when it’s not appropriate.

Here are 10 rules you should try and remember, as suggested by some top business and etiquette professionals.

1. It sounds pretty simple, but never take a personal mobile call during a business meeting. This includes interviews and meetings with your boss, co-workers or subordinates. It's just plain rude.
2. Where possible, maintain at least a 3 metre zone away from anyone while you are talking.
3. Never talk in a lift, in libraries or museums, restaurants or queues at retail shops. Don't even think about talking on your mobile in a cemetery, a cinema, a dentist or doctor waiting room, a Church, or in auditoriums or other enclosed public spaces, such as in the hospital casualty area.
4. Don't have any emotional conversations in public - ever. People around you don’t need to know your business, they don't want to hear about your sex life and they certainly don’t care if you are having an argument with your boy or girl friend. If you want to argue, do it in private!
5. Personalising your mobile with a special ring tone is great, but don't use loud and annoying ones that destroy the concentration (and eardrums) of those around you. Definitely avoid loud ring tones featuring any inappropriate content!
6. Never "multi-task" by making mobile phone calls while shopping, banking, and waiting in line. Conducting personal business in these situations is not on.
7. Keep all your mobile phone calls brief and to the point. Save long winded calls for the privacy of your own home.
8. Use a wired or blue tooth earpiece in high-traffic or noisy locations. It allows you to hear the person on the other end of the line, and helps you keep the sound level reasonable, so you can modulate your voice appropriately.
9. If you've called some one, tell them when you're talking on a mobile, so they can appreciate that the call may have loud background noise and they can also anticipate distractions or disconnections.
10. Promote good phone etiquette. Tell everyone in your address book that you've just adopted these rules for mobile manners. Ask them to do likewise.

Admit it. Using an Apple iPhone in public makes you look pretty cool. By making the effort to be courteous to those around you when you are on the phone will mean you are a seriously cool person.

One final rule: when talking on your mobile phone in public, make sure you leave your personal information out of the conversation. You don't need some dishonest eavesdropper stealing your private information.