Cell phone and Technology Etiquette

[Iowanian]

I'm not sure if things have changed significantly in the past year or so or if I'm just becoming more aware of it lately. It seems that with more technology at our finger tips it is getting much more difficult to maintain an in person conversation.

I can understand business meetings where others have important issues to stay on top of, but if someone schedules a meeting with me, I feel obligated to give them my attention during that scheduled time and usually expect the same within reason. It's pretty tough to believe someone is being attentive if they're checking facebook or snap chat.

Lately in person conversations are tougher to have, let alone dinner. We've all seen it, 4-6 people at a restaurant table with 4-6 faces glued to phone screens instead of talking.

I read of a new "game" that I think is a great idea, at least for personal/friend meetings.

Cell Phone Roulette.

Smartphone Roulette The rules are simple:

1. When you sit down, place your phones on the table, face down. You may stack them if you'd like to be extra extreme, though this is not required.

2. Nobody is allowed to touch their phone—not even if it rings, vibrates, or chimes.

3. If you check your phone before the meal is over, you pay the entire check. No exceptions. Even if you just lift that phone ever so slightly to see who texted you. Your treat.

['Hamas' Jenkins]

Most 16 year olds would probably get DT's ten minutes in.

[Kman34]

This would induce screaks, shakes, and crying from my daughters... I would pay the check just not to live through the hell of it.

[BigRedChief]

4 out of the last 5 jobs I've had, I've got responsibilities. Shit breaks. I can't just go off the grid and ignore my phone. I'm in I.T. so I think its different than other businesses.

Checking your phone in a meeting is normal as long as its business. Checking Facebook or the internet, thats a serious offense.

[tooge]

probably my biggest issue with this sort of thing is during a round of golf. I have a buddy that spends quite a bit of time while on the golf course talking on his phone. It's generally business, but if you are golfing, you are not working, period. Tell people you aren't available during the hours of X on day Y, and that they can leave you a message and you will get back to them.

[srvy]

Originally Posted by tooge

probably my biggest issue with this sort of thing is during a round of golf. I have a buddy that spends quite a bit of time while on the golf course talking on his phone. It's generally business, but if you are golfing, you are not working, period. Tell people you aren't available during the hours of X on day Y, and that they can leave you a message and you will get back to them.

Id find a new golf partner.

[Mr. Kotter]

Originally Posted by tooge

probably my biggest issue with this sort of thing is during a round of golf. I have a buddy that spends quite a bit of time while on the golf course talking on his phone. It's generally business, but if you are golfing, you are not working, period. Tell people you aren't available during the hours of X on day Y, and that they can leave you a message and you will get back to them.

You need a new buddy...

[Donger]

Has anyone else intentionally run into another person walking while glued to their phone?

[Dayze]

Originally Posted by Donger

Has anyone else intentionally run into another person walking while glued to their phone?

so like, you see someone else glued to their phone and intentionally run into them? If i'm reading that right....



not yet, but I will be.

[Donger]

Originally Posted by Dayze

so like, you see someone else glued to their phone and intentionally run into them? If i'm reading that right....



not yet, but I will be.

If they are walking toward me and not traveling in a straight line, yes, absolutely. I've actually had a few of them not even notice when I ran into them.

[Ebolapox]

Originally Posted by Donger

Has anyone else intentionally run into another person walking while glued to their phone?

yep. I'm a dick to people who do that shit.

[Iowanian]

Young people are worse, but it's contagious.

I've seen people check their phones during job interviews. I've seen them text during important meetings. I've seen tables next to me where it didn't appear that people said 10 words to others at their table....but were texting across the table. I've seen people check their phones while giving sales pitches or presentations at meetings.

I do totally understand why people working remotely or in business need to stay on issues. I get that. It's the lunch and dinner or face to face conversations where people stop to text that drives me nuts.


I'm worse about it than I'd care to admit. I've been scolded for taking my phone out and reading emails a couple of minutes into blow-by-blow details of the work day of a wife, I feel the phantom buzz/ring in my pocket even when it's not there.

Technology is a good thing but it's definitely a curse socially I think. People really do need to learn to use their face to face time better imo.

If Young people keep de-evolving due to technology in 10 years they'll have surgery to turn themselves into Steven Hawking.

[Old Dog]

Originally Posted by Iowanian

I've seen people check their phones during job interviews.

I had one do that about three weeks ago. Apparently someone had texted him and he didn't just check the flipping thing, he took the time to go ahead and text back.....granted it only took a couple of seconds, but I told him the interview was over and he need not be looking for a job offer any time soon.

[ptlyon]

Originally Posted by Old Dog

I had one do that about three weeks ago. Apparently someone had texted him and he didn't just check the flipping thing, he took the time to go ahead and text back.....granted it only took a couple of seconds, but I told him the interview was over and he need not be looking for a job offer any time soon.

But Mr Hand, being you're here and I'm here isn't it really our time?

[Amnorix]

Originally Posted by Iowanian

Young people are worse, but it's contagious.

I've seen people check their phones during job interviews. I've seen them text during important meetings. I've seen tables next to me where it didn't appear that people said 10 words to others at their table....but were texting across the table. I've seen people check their phones while giving sales pitches or presentations at meetings.

I do totally understand why people working remotely or in business need to stay on issues. I get that. It's the lunch and dinner or face to face conversations where people stop to text that drives me nuts.


I'm worse about it than I'd care to admit. I've been scolded for taking my phone out and reading emails a couple of minutes into blow-by-blow details of the work day of a wife, I feel the phantom buzz/ring in my pocket even when it's not there.

Technology is a good thing but it's definitely a curse socially I think. People really do need to learn to use their face to face time better imo.

If Young people keep de-evolving due to technology in 10 years they'll have surgery to turn themselves into Steven Hawking.

Came across a new one recently -- someone checking their cell phone in them middle of a deposition! Imagine that, you're under oath giving sworn testimony, and you cant' pay attention...

Second, it's a curse socially to US -- old farts like you and me. The kids who are living this stuff day to day just interact differently, and that will continue to evolve. Maybe face to face time becomes less important, but these people are probably straight up communicating more often than we did/do, are more plugged into each other's lives, and build larger social networks. Who knows.

Not for us to say it's good or bad. It just is.