Mobile phones are fast becoming the communication tool of choice, with more than half of the world’s population owning at least one. Considering so many people use a mobile everyday, you would think that we had finally got mobile phone etiquette down to a tee… I think not, here are my top peeves when it comes to bad phone habits…

Private Details For Everyone!

Many of you will have encountered this, you may have even done it yourself, but grabbing the top spot are those people who enjoy having a “private” conversation with an entire café, or anyone unfortunate enough to be within earshot. There is nothing I like less than listening to stranger’s personal problems, ok so it may brighten a dull day when hearing about Nellie’s unfortunate incident with Billy and a candle, but really some things are best kept to yourself, or if you feel the need to divulge to your best friend, do it in person.

No Need to Shout.

Where ever you go, there are always those who enjoy sharing their conversations with the rest of the world. Similar to the private offenders the shouters let everyone know what they think, but this time it’s down to their lack of volume control. Men are the worst culprits, ok so you have a big booming voice, but that’s no excuse to broadcast your phone call. Remember, you don’t have to yell to be heard and if you’re concerned, whoever’s on the other end of the phone has a volume button as well!

The Waiting Game.

No-one likes to be second best, especially not to a piece of plastic. If you’re meeting up with someone it’s ok to pass the time playing on your mobile, but when they arrive, don’t make them wait for you to finish, there’s nothing worse than hovering around waiting for someone to get off their phone. Similarly, if you get a call mid-way through a conversation, never break face-to-face chat for a phone call, if it’s important they will ring you back. If you have to take it, excuse yourself, get the main points and re-schedule the call. Remember your time isn’t any more important than anyone else’s if you hang on the phone too long, the other person may well leave.

Do One Thing at a Time.

It’s a common fact, all women can multitask, but that doesn’t give them the right to do so while on the phone. I’ll admit I have been known to do just this and get caught out in the process. The problem is multitasking requires splitting your attention, more often than not the person on the other end will notice you’re not paying attention, or you’ll get caught out when asked a question. So, you might be able to blag your way out of the first instance but, unless you’re on the phone to a brick wall, they’ll figure it out. The way I see it, if you rang them, you chose to do it, even if they are whittering on, you put yourself through this OR if they called you they made time to ring you so the least you can do is give them your full attention.

Obey Mobile Bans.

Ok so we’ve all heard of the saying ‘rules are made to be broken’, but sometimes it only takes common sense to realise they are there for a reason. The mobile driving ban, simple enough don’t use your phone when driving a car… but it seems there are just too many rebels in this world, all wanting a bit of life-endangering action when they get behind the wheel. Realistically, no phone call or message is worth risking your life over, there are simple solutions, bluetooth headsets, mobile applications or simply pull over. Another annoyance are those people who blatantly use mobile phones in the ‘no mobile zones’… the signs are there for a reason! In hospitals and on airplanes, it’s not that difficult to work out that it could interfere with vital machinery, on a garage forecourt well, it could blow you up. Is your beloved communication device really worth being blown up / falling out of the air / crashing medical machinery? To a lesser extent there are places that, may not have a mobile ban in place, but it’s just common courtesy to turn it off, for example the library, any kind of church gathering, during dinner, on a date. Again, nine times out of ten the message or phone call can usually wait until after the event, if not you can at least try and be polite.