With the rapid development of technology, cell phone is more and more widely used in our daily life. We would feel so much at ease when we know that we can contact or update our loved ones about our whereabouts or seek help in an emergency. However, as there are exceptions to every scenario, cell phones tend to become a nuisance for the majority when an individual misuses it or is unaware of the basic etiquette.

Cell phone etiquette covers a few simple guidelines of following common courtesy when calling with a cell phone in public, which is expected to make public environment enjoyable for everyone. You had better keep in mind that the general public is not interested in your private conversation or intimate information that is loudly discussed on your cell phone.

Cell phone etiquette is essentially about being considerate of others and to remain conscious and empathetic to other’s needs as well as convenience.

■Follow Common Courtesies

Switch off your cell phone before a boardroom meeting, official meeting, presentation, or a job interview. Leave it off at weddings, funerals, or any place where a quiet atmosphere is mandated such as a library, museum, courthouse, place of worship or any public venues. Indeed it is a question of being considerate and to empathize with other’s needs and convenience as well. When it happens that you have to answer an important call, ask the people around you “Do you mind if I make a call?” or “Can I answer this?”

■Keep it Short and Sweet

Try to make your calls short when you are in a public place, such as a restaurant, theater, shopping mall, or even an elevator. You can call back when you are in a private space and where your conversation does not disturb the people around you. You had better turn off your cell phone or at least keep it in silent mode when watching a film in a movie theater with hundreds of other people. The movie goers do not buy tickets to be annoyed by loud cell phone users. Don’t forget to switch off your call phone in playhouses, movie theaters, or any other public place that creates an atmosphere to elevate the imagination of the audience. People pay good money to be entertained, not to be disturbed.

■Speak Softly

Many people tend to speak loudly when using cell phones, without realizing that the cell phone is designed nice enough to be perfectly capable of hearing normal voice tone. Even if you are not heard clearly, you should not shout over the phone interrupting the people around you. Get up and move to a secluded space, or exit to the back hall to receive the signal or to make calls. Sometimes you may be not aware that you are loud, take your cue from the response of those around you. If the signal is really unstable, just tell the caller you’ll call back when find a spot with better coverage. Under such circumstances, short text messages (**S) are ideal and convenient.

■Multitasking is Not a Good Idea

Refrain from talking on your cell phone while driving. Multitasking on the road can be dangerous and can lead to accidents. Didn’t we all survive without the cell phone a few years back? Do not talk and drive simultaneously! If anything upsetting, distracting or urgent, just stop the car and pull over to a corner of the road and speak. Otherwise, you are surely risking the lives of many other people on the road while risking your own too.

■Public Places

A private conversation is not possible in intimate public gatherings, such as buses, subways,hallways, restaurants, waiting-rooms, and public restrooms. In such places, the other people are forced to overhear your private conversations while you are forced to stand close to them. At such times, you can practice good cell phone etiquette. You can put the ringer on vibrate or silent mode, or roll over the calling mode to the voice-mail. Alternately, just step outside or into a secluded area to call back if you have to take an important call.