Proper cell phone etiquette

I think in any place that calls for absolutely silence, like the theater and other places you mentioned, it should be on silent. If you're at work at use of the cell phone is not permitted, it should be on silent. If you're in a place where quiet time activities take place, but that is not the sole purpose for the place (like your example coffee shop), then you should turn it down. All other places, feel free to blast it loudly. :) And I never turn mine on "silent." Vibrate, in my opinion, is always more appropriate.

Yes, I think it is polite to turn the ringer off or down low as you did. Not just in 'reading' type setting, but anywhere in public.

I have seen signs in some Star Bucks that have areas where if you are going to be using WIFI you should turn down your Cell phone. What amazes me is hearing Cell phones going off during Church, or in Libraries and Doctors Offices. Do people do not have respect and read the signs. I always remember to turn mine off in these places, and if I have time I will sometimes check to make sure I am not missing something but it would be rude to let them go off there.

My husband has 2 cell phones connected to his hip all the time. One is for work, the other is personal. I hate it when we are in a restaurant and he starts talking on the phone. You don't know how much this annoys me. I talk to him about cell phone etiquette in restaurants...and talking loud ....to no avail. UGH!

You said it's a coffee shop?? But you added coffee shop/book store. LOL Maybe, if that place is really for reading purposes, then the phone tones must turned into silent mode or at least lower the volume. As for me, I get easily irritated when I hear something off the beat specially when I'm reading. I also hate too much chatting of people when in a silent place. I think they should know how to lower their voices so they won't disturb you or any other people there.

When it's a reading setting, I believe it should always be in silent mode, but some people just fail to do this sometimes, perhaps because of just plain laziness or negligence, anyway , this is where our patience would be tested sometimes

I don't think a coffee shop is a reading setting per say. Of course people read there but it's not a place where people go to enjoy silence. I really don't care everybody does it now what I hate is when people talk really loudly so everyone can hear their conversation. That's so unnecessary. If people were more discrete about what they are doing it wouldn't be so much of a big deal.

Yes in a reading type setting I do believe that cellphones should be silenced, or atleast turned down low like you did for yours. It's just common courtesy as some people can not drown out the noise around them as well as others can. I know I'd be annoyed to constantly hear a ringer while reading.

hi macdingolinger, what ever you are doing,the work should not disturb others,that is my policy,when i go for important places like temple,meetings ,then i keep my cell phone in vibrating mood,so i can hear the vibration no sound,so it may not effect on others work,you have not sent any mail to me about your blog or my blogs,have a nice day

i don't mind hearing other people's phone on public places, but i find it proper to turn off or put your pone on a silent mode in places like church, movie theater, classroom, you can lower the sound on your phone on offices.

I totally get what you're saying. I get a little bit irritated with people who don't at least put their cellphones on a lower volume mode. I think people should observe a little bit of silence in a cafe or restaurant for good etiquette. One time, I got irritated with one of my supervisor's friend, who fortunately was also an acquaintance and he was inside our office, just visiting a few of my co-workers and even though I had my headset on, his phone kept on ringing for a few good minutes. It was set to its loudest volume I think and it kept on ringing for 3 or 4 times. I got so irritated that I told him how irritated I was. Luckily, he got kinda scared and just got out of our office. I mean, it was our office after all.

I would have done the same thing as you did. I might have put mine on vibrate as well. And yes, I do believe cell phones should be at least lowered when entering a reading place, like a library. People are there for a silent and peaceful area and a blaring cell ringtone Iis quite distracting.

I think a coffee shop is a place where we could read but we cannot prohibit others from having their phones ring. We could only wish that the phones ringing be toned down . But in those churches , movies and concerts, it is but logical that we put our cellphones in silent mode. Perhaps the people themselves in a coffee shop should be discreet enough to turn down the ringing of their cellphones, since a coffee shop is where people usually meet to relax over a cup of coffee. if and ever they would like to talk over the phone, they should do it in a lower voice. But should they like a louder voice, then they could go outside.

change your cell phone setting to vibrate mode