You can see it everywhere – people with their eyes glued to their cell phones in public places. You may have even witnessed it at home with your family. Whether we believe it or not, at one point or another, we’ve all been guilty of being inconsiderate with our cell phone use.
And in Japan people are much more aware of that…
Do:
Do give your undivided attention to your friend. Be present in the moment and save your personal affairs for your own time.
Do put your phone away. Put your phone on vibrate or silent and tuck it away. Avoid placing it on the table as it is impolite and you may find yourself distracted or tempted to check it. Out of sight, out of mind.
Do utilize your voicemail. A voicemail box is standard on all cell phones, so put it to use. Let the person leave you a message and you can respond when you’re not otherwise occupied.
Do filter your language when speaking on your phone in public places. You may not realize it, but you may be speaking loudly and people around you may hear your conversation. Be aware of your surroundings and do your best to not offend others in the area.
With that said, do keep a reasonably respectful distance from those around you when speaking on your cell phone. If you’re indoors, excuse yourself and step outside to take your call. If there are people outside as well, approximately 10 feet/3 meters is a safe distance to maintain.
Do respect common quiet zones. Always silence or turn off your phone and put it away in places like churches, theaters, libraries, etc.
Don’t:
Don’t yell. You may not realize it yourself, but we all tend to raise our voice volume when speaking on our cell phones. If the person can’t hear you, speak closer to the microphone and/or make use of a cupped hand.
Don’t argue in public. As previously stated, most people around you can hear your conversation. Even if you take measures to move away from people, you are likely to raise your voice, calling attention to yourself. Avoid an uncomfortable situation and discuss it later. This will allow both parties to cool down and may even help the situation.
Don’t make people wait. You are devaluing their time. When you’re at a restaurant or in line to order, put your phone away so that you’re ready when they get to you. You’re not only making the staff wait, but you’re also making everyone else wait.
Don’t text and drive. Just don’t. It can wait – put your phone away for the safety of yourself and others.
Good manners and politeness can go a long way. It’s easy to get caught up in our cell phones, as it provides nearly everything at our fingertips. But it is important to take some time to unplug from technology and enjoy the simple things in life. Be sure to keep these tips in mind when interacting with others, whether formally or informally.
