Are
you guilty of bad manners without being aware of
it? Many people that are ordinarily polite and
conditioned to respect the feeling of others are
displaying contempt for those around them. They
are using their cell phones to disturb others nearby.
They let phones ring in theaters and restaurants
without regard to the fact they are disturbing
the enjoyment and concentration of others.
They
speak loudly enough to not only be overheard but to
insure that all nearby will be annoyed. They discuss
things that should be private but are being shared
with those that would rather not hear the one-sided
discussion. They violate everyone’s free space
filling the air with unwanted noise. In sum, they are
boorish, uncaring social misfits that have yet to learn
that good manners are good for all.
So,
what is the code
of manners that they
should adhere to? You
won’t find a
specific reference
to cell phone manners
in “Miss Manners™ Guide
to Excruciatingly Correct
Behavior”, but
the basics are there.
We are each charged
with adjusting our
behavior to the generally
acceptable norm for
the environment we
are in at the time.
What is acceptable
as a fan watching a
sports event may not
be quite appropriate
in a funeral service.
Every month several
million people get
a new cell phone. You
would think that the
newly enfranchised
cell users would have
witnessed others exhibiting
how little they care
about good manners.
Yet each month we see
more and more rude
cell users. And now
you can start to see
the inevitable reaction
of those being affected
by their uncaring behavior.
The accusing stare
seems to be the favorite
reaction. It expresses
how stupid the rude
person is deemed to
be.
For those of you that
believe Cell Boors
are extra celestial
beings that should
be quarantined with
others of the same
ilk, take heart. Go
to CellManners.com
and participate in
the discussion. Maybe
if we talk openly about
the problem, some otherwise
nice people will reconsider
and return to the fold
of the well mannered.
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