More Communication, Fewer Manners
Business Technology | September 30, 2011
Etiquette rules have changed now that we are constantly connected. We currently compete with smartphones, tablets, and any manner of other Internet-enabled device in direct social situations. Ideally, when we have a chance for face-to-face socializing we should turn off our devices. The more dependant people become on their devices, the less likely this is to happen! Lots of people commit connectivity faux pas without even realizing it. The following are some common examples and tips to avoid making them.
Phones at the Dinner Table – Just as you would not turn your back to someone you are talking with, texting or answering your phone while dining is not very polite.
Tips to Avoid this:
- Excuse yourself from the table if you need to take an urgent call.
- If you know you will be distracted and curious if your phone alerts you of a text, take a preventive step and turn it off.
- For dinners lasting longer than an hour, you could suggest the table take a “cell phone break” for those who need or want to check their emails or messages.
Loud Phone Calls in Public Places – Exposing other individuals to your private life is definitely a social faux pas. When you’re in a public place you may not realize how quiet the space is or how loudly you are talking, but the people around you do.
Tips to Avoid this:
- Silence your phone and do not answer it
- If you need to answer the call, step away to a secluded area to take it and tell the caller that their call is important and you will call them back in x amount of minutes.
- If you must take the phone call and you are waiting in line, ask the person behind you to hold your spot and quickly go take your call.
Becoming Overly Dependent on Digital Communication – Email is a popular way to communicate but making it the only way people can get a hold of you will make you too dependent on your device. This can lead to disconnection and distraction in face-to-face social situations.
Tips to Avoid this:
- Make the most of face-to-face communications.
- Make your phone to be the best way to get a hold of you over email or texting.
- Resist the urge to respond to email immediately, wait to check it after you leave your social engagement.
In the age of connectivity it is up to us to recognize when the things we do have a negative effect on our surroundings or our companions. Let us know of any examples you can think of where being overly connected has created social faux pas.
Etiquette rules have changed now that we are constantly connected. We currently compete with smartphones, tablets, and any manner of other Internet-enabled device in direct social situations. Ideally, when we have a chance for face-to-face socializing we should turn off our devices. The more dependant people become on their devices, the less likely this is to happen! Lots of people commit connectivity faux pas without even realizing it. The following are some common examples and tips to avoid making them.
Phones at the Dinner Table – Just as you would not turn your back to someone you are talking with, texting or answering your phone while dining is not very polite.
Tips to Avoid this:
- Excuse yourself from the table if you need to take an urgent call.
- If you know you will be distracted and curious if your phone alerts you of a text, take a preventive step and turn it off.
- For dinners lasting longer than an hour, you could suggest the table take a “cell phone break” for those who need or want to check their emails or messages.
Loud Phone Calls in Public Places – Exposing other individuals to your private life is definitely a social faux pas. When you’re in a public place you may not realize how quiet the space is or how loudly you are talking, but the people around you do.
Tips to Avoid this:
- Silence your phone and do not answer it
- If you need to answer the call, step away to a secluded area to take it and tell the caller that their call is important and you will call them back in x amount of minutes.
- If you must take the phone call and you are waiting in line, ask the person behind you to hold your spot and quickly go take your call.
Becoming Overly Dependent on Digital Communication – Email is a popular way to communicate but making it the only way people can get a hold of you will make you too dependent on your device. This can lead to disconnection and distraction in face-to-face social situations.
Tips to Avoid this:
- Make the most of face-to-face communications.
- Make your phone to be the best way to get a hold of you over email or texting.
- Resist the urge to respond to email immediately, wait to check it after you leave your social engagement.
In the age of connectivity it is up to us to recognize when the things we do have a negative effect on our surroundings or our companions. Let us know of any examples you can think of where being overly connected has created social faux pas.