Cell Phone Pledge

A few days ago our etiquette expert Amy Stevens posted a wonderful post on her blog Etiquette From the Trenches and I asked her permission to share a portion of it here with you.  The reason that I wanted to share this post with our readers is because it deals with a topic that is essential in business… cell phone conduct.

I know that I have shared with my readers in a previous post that I am a self diagnosed cell phone addict.  I use my smart phone for EVERYTHING… from my calendar, to do list, contacts, and much more.  I try to be careful about making sure that my cell phone usage is done at the right times, in the right way… but Amy’s pledge was a wonderful challenge and reminder to me.

Here is the pledge that Amy posted on her blog… (if you would like to read the post in it’s entirety please click here.)

The Cell Phone Pledge of Good Conduct in Public

I, (insert name here), do solemnly swear that

1. I will never choose the face of my phone over the face of the person in front of me.
2. When I need to use my phone in a store I will keep my volume down and not block people from something important like the coffee filters.  If I need to stop and talk, I will move out of the flow of traffic.
3. As I’m in public my language and stories will be G-rated.
4. I will not expect the people around me to whisper or tip-toe because I’m on the phone.
5. When I’m at a social event I will only answer the phone for work, my spouse, or the babysitter.
6. I will pull over the car if the blinking light on my phone is too much temptation.
7. If I must talk on the phone in line, I will end the call before it’s my turn to check-out.
8. If I need to answer the phone when out with friends or family, (see number 5) I will excuse myself from the table and/or room.
9. If I’m pushing a shopping cart and need to text or email, I will find a good spot to stop so I don’t run over you or your children.
10. If a ringing phone would be disruptive, I will set my phone to silent or vibrate.
11. When people are stuck in close proximity to me (line at post office … ahem, ahem …) I will return your call once I’m done.  If it’s a true emergency, I will keep it brief or give up my place in line.
12. I acknowledge that “text” does not mean “must respond immediately.”
13. When I’m spending time with my kids, I will let calls go to voice mail because their childhood is too fleeting to be the background to my cell phone conversations, tweets, texts, or Facebook updates.
14. I don’t have a number 14 but never like to end lists or solemn pledges on 13.  Not that I’m not superstitious – I was even married on the 13^th – it was the only time the venue (Powell Gardens outside Kansas City if you’re curious) was available.  But I digress …

So help me God.  Amen.