 | Calling
For Courtesy
Mobile phone users have become
less considerate, survey shows07 November 2002 While
the use of mobile phones has grown in popularity over the past few
years, the level of courtesy among those making the calls has dwindled,
suggests a recent survey of executives. Sixty-three percent of respondents
said cell phone users are less polite than they were three years ago. The
survey was developed by Accountemps, the world's first and largest
temporary staffing service for accounting, finance and bookkeeping
professionals. It was conducted by an independent research firm and
includes responses from 150 executives with the nation's 1,000 largest
companies. Executives also weighed in on the appropriate
places to conduct business on mobile phones: 64 percent felt it was
okay to talk on the phone while driving, and 58 percent said taking
calls while riding public transportation is acceptable. The biggest
blunders are accepting a call during a meeting or while dining in a
restaurant, according to 94 percent and 91 percent of executives, respectively.
Other places considered off-limits include sporting events (72 percent),
the golf course (64 percent), and malls and supermarkets (58 percent). "Cell
phones are a valuable business tool because they allow clients to contact
you even when you're traveling," said Max Messmer, chairman of
Accountemps and author of Managing Your Career For Dummies® (Hungry
Minds, Inc.). "But work-related calls should still be conducted
in private -- for reasons of both courtesy and confidentiality." Messmer
offers these tips for raising your cell-phone courtesy quotient: - Speak
in a low voice. The tendency is to talk more loudly on cell phones,
so be mindful of this and avoid being a disruption to others.
- Set
your cell phone ringer on low or vibrate mode. In some places, such
as meetings and conferences, it's best to turn the sound off altogether.
- Use
your cell phone in private. If you receive an important call, find
an out-of-the-way place to have your conversation.
- Keep
your conversation brief. Tell the caller you'll get back to him or
her when you find a more suitable place to talk.
- Limit
your cell phone use to essential calls. Work-related calls that are
not critical can wait until you return to the office.
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