Wed, September 01, 2010 - 3:13:27

Is Your Smart Phone Making You Rude?

With the ever-growing popularity of social networking and sharing sites, you’ve probably heard etiquette experts dole out advice on the world’s newest kind of social conduct, “netiquette.” And chances are you’re already doing your share to make NICE 2.0 a regular part of your Web routine. But, in our completely portable information age, have you ever stopped to think about your smart phone smarts? No, we’re not talking about your app savvy or your texting dexterity. What you really need to know is: is your cell phone making you rude?

As humorist Andrea Bartz writes in her regular CNN.com column on all things netiquette, smart phones—with all their infinite communications capabilities—have caused many of us to forget about the normal polite behaviors we adopted when cell phones became a regular part of life. While voice-only enabled cell phones were courteously stashed in a bag during a lunch with friends, now Blackberries, iPhones, and Droids can be seen sitting alongside the menu on many tables in a restaurant near you. And it goes without saying: it’s not such a good thing.

Sure, we love our smart phones as much as the next person. It lets us tweet on the go, text with our kids, and respond to our clients quickly. And being so easily available to all those people gives them one important message: they matter to us. But, when you’re glued to your phone when you’re out with friends, business associates, or family, what message are you sending them?

Being there to take someone’s call, respond to their email, or reply to their text is one thing; being there to listen with your undivided attention is another. And in today’s age of information overload, it’s a simple life skill that can actually set you apart from the rest of the often-distracted crowd. When you’re able to tune out the chatter of our noisy world and move your focus toward one person at a time, you can build stronger, healthier relationships in both your personal and professional lives.

It’s not about giving up your smart phone; it’s about using your smart phone smarter. And when you do, people will really start to get the message.

Posted by Linda and Robin