The New Rules Of Phone Etiquette

Sitting at a birthday dinner with 10-12 friends, I pull out from the table conversation to check my iPhone for messages, at the same time I look around the table and see that at least five other birthday guests have the same thought that I do. I quickly click my phone to sleep and say something smart to my girlfriend sitting besides me “Looks like we’re sitting in a twitter conference”. Yes, I’m guilty of abusing this new & improved social media device, are you?

It’s just recently that I’ve started to notice this great addiction with the smart phone aka “Anti-Social Device.”

I threw a game night to watch the Lakers at my pad. Some of my favorite people show up, we’re watching the game, sipping a few chilled beers & relaxing in my living room. Midway through the heated game, I notice how quite it is in the room, quickly I look around the room & I notice I’m the only one actually watching the game, three of my buddies & another friend next to me, plus my brother are all texting, Twittering, updating their Facebook status or browsing the web (see image at right). It was shocking to see it in such an extreme form, it felt like a miniature slap. Would you guys rather be somewhere else? Maybe another world with other people? Why come to my living room and then spend the remainder of the night entertaining yourself on a miniature plastic palm held device? Doesn’t that seem childish? Well, its a reality & its getting worse.

Just yesterday was Valentine’s Day, I took my girl to a nice dinner at Fuego at Hotel Maya to celebrate. We sat at our own table amongst 20 other tables. After a great appetizer and a wine paring, I noticed the couple seated a few tables in front of us were both fully engulfed in each of their phones… I pointed this out to my girlfriend and we both agreed the timing for using their phone seemed out of place… What did I do about it? I picked up my phone to write down how I need to write this little piece on phone etiquette. It was at that point that I again realized, our generation is screwed.

I’ve realized that this is only going to get worse with the coming generation. Better technology, endless applications & cheaper multimedia phones. Pretty soon you’ll need to text someone in the same room to see if they want another drink, what they think about the game or what they’re doing later. You will eventually be living a virtual social life.

Part of me misses the old school phone etiquette rules. You know, the don’t call someone after 9pm or during meal times (8am, 12pm, 6-7pm). Back 5 years ago when not everyone & their grandchildren had a text ringing in on their hip. So I’m left thinking, how can I not get sucked into this addiction? I mean I’m in LOVE with my phone, I’m naked without it and my production rate goes way down. But what are the rules for answering your phone, sending a text or updating your Twitter account?

I’ve come up with these 3 simple rules to follow if you don’t want to be known as the “Anti-Social Phone Addict”

Your phone is a great tool for being social, setting up your next appointment and staying connected with people you love. Don’t let it cripple your social life. Live in the NOW.

Remember, this is an addiction that is only going to get worse. I’m putting my foot down on my own addiction, who knows, I may be starting a Cell-Phone anonymous rehab group.

I’d love to hear your cell phone pet peeves, leave a comment & tell me your theories of avoiding this problem, or solutions you’ve found that work.

Movie premier

Fashion shoot

The Foundation room -Las Vegas

Luau show, audience member on the phone. -Waikiki Oahu