Let Your Phone Manners Show

GSM Phones have continued to evolve in terms of functionality and design. Apart from connectivity with the internet, an average Android phone comes with a high-pixel camera, a recorder, a diary, a clock, a radio, games, and applications designed for various needs. Telephones have evolved from just being a communication tool but also to work and an entertainment tool. With phones at the centre of our lives, it is difficult to let them out of sight for a minute.

Mr Kunle Oladipo, a Public Servant lamented that his teenage children are now recluse and always glued to their phones even at meal times, thus limiting the conversation and interaction time the family should be having. 

However, GSM phones have brought its share of disadvantages and nuisance. Kidnappers use GSM phones to get ransom; children waste too much time on social platforms to the detriment of their studies; family bonds are affected and many other vices are perpetrated while using the phone.

Beside crimes, people need to know the appropriate ways the gadget should be used without necessarily affecting others. Using the phone in public requires good manner, which is a polite way of behaving or showing empathy to people in public when the phone is used. The nuisance created by users range from annoying ringtones to conversations that cause distractions in public. It is common to see some people receiving phone calls in places of worship, unmindful ofthe effect it will have on those around them. Worse still, people make and receive calls in places where there are notices boldly displayed restricting the use of phones. 

We can work on some of our manners on the phone to show that we consider others around us by adopting a compassionate approach in our use of the gadget.

Avoid Talking at the top of your voice:

 A typical Nigerian is very expressive, vociferous, and forceful while discussing, this he has carried over to the way he converses on the phone, even in public. He yells at people and blows his ego with brazen insensitivity to those around him. 

Learn to be Discrete:

Do not spill all your beans on the phone. Keep conversations short and simple and avoid discussing private matters on the phone with total strangers as such information could be used against you.

The showy display of one’s means will not only portray you as proud but exposes you to robbers or kidnappers’ attacks. Very private and sensitive discussions on phones could be postponed until an appropriate time and place. 

It is disrespectful and distracting to those around you to yell on the phone. If the reception of your network is poor, you can change your location or switch to another network if you are using a dual SIM phone.

Watch what you discuss on the phone; it may be on the speaker at the other end and many people may be listening to what is supposed to be a conversation between two individuals. Avoid discussing things that are anti-established government as this may be monitored, recorded and used against you.

These days, jobs can be secured across international borders on phones because physical presence is continually downplayed in the conduct of interviews, Good manners on the phone can become a plus. A situation where you are rude or uncomplimentary to people on the phone can result in opportunities slipping you by. 

Avoid using the phone when you are driving:

It is common on our roads to see people driving in busy streets clutching their phones to their ears with one hand while using the other hand to handle the steering. Even law enforcement agents have been found wanting in this regard. They forget that using phones while driving or in restricted areas can portend danger, not only to themselves but also to others around them.

Be Polite:

Allow the caller to say his mission before asking so many questions at a time. Understandably, our environment is dangerous and strange calls may be viewed with suspicion. Despite this, we should afford some measure of civility before you are considered rude to genuine favours knocking our way. Your manners on the phone can depict the kind of person you are. 

These days, jobs can be secured across international borders on phones because physical presence is continually downplayed in the conduct of interviews, so, good manners on the phone can become a plus. A situation where you are rude or uncomplimentary to people on the phone can result in opportunitiesslipping you by. 

Be modest in your choice of words and do not hang up on people when you have not concluded your conversation.

Loud Ringtones:

A situation where your phone’s ring tones will turn all heads in your direction could be embarrassing. Set your ringtones to a level that will not create a stare when it rings. Except expediently required of the environment and to the individual who is handling it, noisy ringtones are distractive to people around and disturbing. 

Observe Phone Restriction Signs:

Do not forget to set your phones into plane modes or switch them off in areas where their use is restricted as it could have dire consequences for some installations. You should switch off or reduce the volume of your ringtones or set them in plane modes in hospitals, places of worship, meetings, lecture rooms etc. 

Never Eat or Drink during a Phone Conversation:

Ordinarily, talking and eating is not a good habit as you can get choked; talking and eating could be irritating to the person being addressed on the phone because the sound coming from your grinding, chewing or mashing mouth goes straight into the ear of the receiver. We can avoid this.

Avoid texting while walking:

This will prevent you bumping into things or being run over by a vehicle. 

Observe all statutory laws guiding the use of phones in public places:

Cameras on the phone should be used with caution by respecting other people’s privacy. Avoid using them in areas where regular cameras will be considered inappropriate. For example, change rooms, in some cases courtrooms, museums, toilets etc.

It is illegal in most countries of the world, including Nigeria, to be making calls while driving. If you must make that important call, park the vehicle and be on the side of the law.

Let’s know if you have been bullied or stalked on the phone before.

Drop your experience in the comment section below now.

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