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Health & Fitness

July is National Cell Phone Courtesy Month

No doubt about it, cell phones are a vital part of our professional and personal lives.  However, whether it’s lunch with a friend who doesn’t think twice about taking a call, at the movies sitting near Tommy the texter or in a small space with someone doing their best cell yell, we’ve all been in situations where someone isn’t minding their mobile manners. 

In celebration of National Cell Phone Courtesy Month, AT&T has put together a list of 10 tips to help all of us brush up on our cell phone etiquette:  

  1. Be mindful of how loud you are talking in public.
  2. Don’t have personal conversations where others can hear you.  You never know who may be listening so this is in your best interest as well. 
  3. Step aside or leave the room if possible when taking a call in public.
  4. Don’t take a call when involved in face-to-face conversation.  If you know that you are expecting an important call that you must take, let your companions know ahead of time. 
  5. Don’t text/email/check your phone while involved in face-to-face conversation.  It’s just plain rude and makes the other person feel like they’re not interesting or important to you.
  6. Put your phone on silent when in theaters, restaurants, trains, buses, doctors and dentists offices, museums and other enclosed public spaces.  Think of downloading a free app like the one from Cinemark.  The free app enables users to switch their phone onto CineMode when entering the theater, which automatically dims their screen and prompts them to set the volume to silent. In return, users receive rewards – such as money off popcorn – for keeping CineMode on for the duration of the movie. 
  7. Don’t have conversations in cramped or small spaces such as elevators, trains and waiting rooms.
  8. Choose your ring tone wisely – no annoying, offensive or vulgar ringtones.  If you want to personalize your ringtone or have a little fun with it, try downloading a ring tone app like 1,500 Ringtones Unlimited.  For $1.99 you can choose from 1,500 unique ringtones, including music and sound effects.
  9. Don’t talk on the phone when ordering at a drive through or while at a counter making a purchase.
Finally, when it comes to texting and driving, It Can Wait!  Visit Itcanwait.com to download the free AT&T DriveMode app, which when enabled sends an automatic reply to incoming texts and emails to let the sender know you are driving and will reply when it is safe to do so.   While on the site, take the time to take the pledge to never again text and drive!

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