Cell Phone Ettiquette

Don't even get me started about cell phones. I trully can't believe how rude people are. The speaker had every right to ask her to leave the seminar. The fact that the cell phone rang was rude, but forgiveable had she not answered it. By answering the phone in the middle of a seminar was just plain wrong. I don't understand where some people get off thinking that they are so much more important than the general public. People do you really not have a clue that when you are in a large group, seminar, classroom, ect. or when people are waitng on you because you aren't paying attention to what is going on that you are being down right rude. I don't have the answers to how to fix the problem either, except to say that maybe we who see this happening speak up and say "Excuse me, your being rude." :) But in today's world that isn't a good idea either. Sorry for the rant. Good luck to you here at mylot!

Of course it was inappropriate. If she started talking to the person next to her, it's basically the same thing. The least she could have done was leave the room first (but being in the first row, that would have been a bit disruptive as well.) I go to the movies nearly every weekend, and it never fails, there is one inconsiderate (insert expletive here) One was so bad, he had his conversation so that half the theatre could hear. A co-worker took the train from California to Colorado and told the story of a punk in constant communication with a friend, telling him how he abused and robbed from his ex-girlfriend. She told him they could hear his conversation and she said he just gave her a dirty look. I wish those scientists would hurry up and release a report about the dangers of second-hand radiation. Then we can have cell-phone free areas. Not that I'll be holding my breath ....

It was very rude and I think the man should have called for a break and then asked her to turn her phone off. I hate to see people at a store talking on their phone while they are paying for something. They totally treat the cashier like they aren't even there and that is VERY rude. I have a cell phone and I always tell whoever I'm talking to that I'll call them back after I check out. There is a time and place for everything and the seminar was not the place for the phone.

That can be really irritating. haven't you seen idotic people talking loudly in movies ? I think cellphones should be banned in such places. You won't believe i've seen ppl not putting their cells on silent even in official meetings - gosh ! they should be fired !

This is extremely rude, and I'm surprised that the speaker didn't say something to her directly. No one is so important that they can't have the phone off or on vibrate during a meeting or conference. When you have a call come through, you can quietly slip out of the room if you must take the call. I attend national meetings for my work where all of the attendees are medical providers; we all get calls from our offices and nurses about patients and other issues; no one EVER has the phone on, except for vibrate. It is just so rude to the speaker and to the other attendees who are trying to learn something. Some people have absolutely no manners and even less common sense!

I have had a similar situation where the guy beside me was on the phone for 5 mins during a course so i told him hang it up or leave please cannot here anything. he looked at me and held his finger up signalling one sec but i ignored him adn raise my voice adn said end the call or leave. H e got up and left adn as he did several ppl turned theres off or put them on vibrate. During a break several ppl thanked me for it adn the instrutor had even asked that cells be turned off or pu to vibrate

Yes, the speaker should have requested her to carry on her conversation outside the room. Its very important to leave the room when someone else is speaking. Its good manners. Generally speakers tell everyone to switch their mobiles off or to silent so that the talk can proceed without any interuptions

this is bad manner to me. In my country we cant switch on our mobile in somespecial meetings. it is not rule but it is some kind of mannerful step to take for society. but if someone need to keep silence the phone we get permission for do this. I think if somebody does not understant to make mannerfull things, it is nice to make something hang about the notice for the participations.

i don't know why some people behave this way. i mean, it's really common sense. if the phone had been really that important, then it's really proper for the person to leave the room so as to not disturb anyone. it's a very disrespectful behaviour most especially to the speaker. just yesterday i watched a movie and the person in front of me did the same thing. he answered his phone and had a cnversation, didn't even think about going out or going to the bethroom for a while. i was royally pissed. sad to say so many people don't have manners anymore.

I personally HATE those cell phone addicts who think they cannot go on living without their phone to their ear constantly.... I don't want to sound old fashioned, but hey, we were alright 10, 12 years ago, right? Why does someone want to be available at all hours?? What's wrong with some privacy, quiet, being incommunicado? I loooove that. As for the lady at the seminar: one bad mannered woman who is not just disturbing the speaker, but also the people around her. Why doesn't she have the grace to get off her chair and leave the room? I sometimes HAVE to be reachable, but I always leave the room, the restaurant, the whatever... First of all, I like to talk privately, secondly it is only good manners not to bother other people with the sound of your voice and the content of the conversation (which is 9 out of 10 times not very high quality - and you sort of oblige people to listen in, when you phone in public) My suggestion: put off the phone when in company; the only exception is when you are on duty call....

First off, if it was going to be a lengthy conversation she should have excused herself from the seminar, not only does it distract the speaker, but the people around her and that VERY RUDE and disrepectful.. Furthermore, she lucky I wasn't the one next to her, I'm the type that would say something..lol If I'm in a meeting or somewhere where people are talking, I will put it on vibrate, just as you for emergency purposes only. If it VERY important and I have to take the call, I excuse myself... Actually, the speaker should of said something...Secondly, the person on the phone should have more common sense than what they do...it's really so simple

that happens everywhere. People can't get away from their cell phones. Next time make sure you've got some stickers posted in the seminar room. Reminders that cell phones should be put on vibrate or turned off will get more people observing cell phone etiquette. Otherwise when you get the offenders to law, that would make them angry and the courts will get clogged up hearing all this petty stuff.

I agree that is really rude - and especially since she didn't even leave the room to have her conversation!! It's rude enough to have your phone on, though it's easy enough to forget (mine has rung in lectures before, it's pretty embarrassing but I've hurridly switched it off once I realised!), but to actually answer it AND have a conversation, whilst still sitting in the room... multiple times! Very rude.

Nothing irks me more than a cellphone ringing in places that need to be quiet, such as meetings/seminars, cinemas, theaters, libraries, and churches. If I were there I would have politely asked that person to leave, even if he got angry, or maybe I'll call attention to the speaker and point out this person, even if they get embarrassed. I always put my phone on silent mode when I'm in places like these, and I leave the room or go to a corner or generally someplace where I don't bother anyone. The key here is respect for others, and it's certainly irritating if other people ignore cellphone etiquette and not have a modicum of respect for others.

You are absolutely right, but the its very common to see people talk in cell phone like that in my country, I think people should put my cell phone on vibrate in most of public places. I hate to hear the rings and people talking to cell phone in cinema very much, its really annoyed, sometimes I just want to grab his (her) cell phone and throw it far away. Have a good day.

That is so annoying. I would have asked her to take her call elsewhere. I turn my phone off in situations like this. I can't believe she had the nerve to answer it too! She was ruining the seminar for everyone else, and it's very rude.

I agree you comments, best put vibration mode if the sound will come the speeker will ask the person to attend the call then put that in silent mode... otherwise ask them to quit from seminar

No, the woman was really rude to answer her phone in the middle of a seminar with the speaker just a few feet away. It distracts not only the speaker but also the other participants and it is plain rude and disrespectful to the speaker. If the phone call was really important, she could have excused herself and stepped outside to answer the phone.

to me she was so rude, it was a seminar and if she wanted to talk she should have left thru the doors rather than disturb everyone else. If I am somewhere at even moms house and I get a call, I say can I call you back,I am with family. Its just the right thing to do and respect others,too Good topic!

It's expected to turn off the sound when you go to seminar or even in a movie house, if you rather choose to mind your phone over the speaker, best to get out. It's the same as having two people talking and not listening to the seminar. The speaker has every right to feel upset. The woman needs someone to say not to do it again, a sorry will only be meaningful if she means not to do it again.