by Jane C.
Member since:
December 7, 2008

Thoughts on Cell Phone Etiquette

June 23, 2009 06:21 PM EDT (Updated: June 23, 2009 08:45 PM EDT)
views: 97 | comments: 31

Overall I am delighted with cell phone technology, and am glad that people who need to reach me when I am not home can do so. That said, there are some unexpected consequences.

For instance, one of my pet peeves when people call me at home and leave a message which does not require any immediate response but then ALSO immediately call my cell phone.

Now, if someone is hoping to catch me right then to invite me to do something that day, ask a question which cannot wait until I return the FIRST phone call, that's great! I appreciate those calls -- especially if it means I have an opportunity I would have otherwise missed to spend with a friend. Even if it's a close friend who just really wants to check in right then. HOWEVER, if it is something that can just as easily wait, why call BOTH a person's home and cell phone, one right after the other??

If I do not answer my home phone, either I am at home and it is not convenient to take a call on either phone right then OR I am not at home, and am likely BUSY doing whatever it is I left home for -- or am driving to or from that appointment, meeting, dinner, etc.. 

Do YOU find this annoying too??

 

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Comments: 31

Kat W. Jul 2, 2009, 6:02pm EDT

It is usually my husband or children that do this but in reverse.  They call my cell first and if I can't get my hands on phone fast enough to answer within seconds my home phone will ring. Or I will try calling them back from my cell and they will not pick up because they are calling the home phone.    Ugh!!
Heather ~of the Whippets~ M. Jul 22, 2009, 4:36pm EDT
I really don't have that problem. People tend to either leave a voice mail on my cell or email me. Very few people bother with the land line since it's not really "mine" (the joys of living with family).
Heather ~of the Whippets~ M. Jul 22, 2009, 4:37pm EDT
Actually, for much of my adult life, I haven't even had a land line--just cell and computer.
Karen L. Aug 1, 2009, 9:17pm EDT
I usually never have mine turned on, I feel that it is for MY convenience, not everyone elses! Am I selfish? They can leave a message for me at home. I guess you can tell that I am not under 35, LOL!
APE 131313 Aug 4, 2009, 12:43am EDT
I think all phones should be for emergency only LOL usually just an intrusion .
Nancy Biri Aug 4, 2009, 9:06am EDT
I don't have that problem
Donald M. Aug 4, 2009, 1:25pm EDT
It really peeves me when people call and will not leave a message, if I am in the house, I can usually hear them and call them back, if they leave their number. When you live alone or have nobody with you at the time. why call on the cell . If I am in the bathroom I still cannot call you, but sure cant hear your message to see how important or not the call was.
Marilyn M. Aug 4, 2009, 6:58pm EDT
That doesn't bother me. What upsets me is when someone's cell phone goes off in the middle of a funeral, wedding, or church service. It's really not so hard to turn it off or at least put it on vibrate! ~pif~
Jane C. Aug 4, 2009, 7:25pm EDT
Or better yet, leave it in the car.
Shaunee C. Aug 4, 2009, 7:36pm EDT
I don't have that problem but that would drive me crazy

PIF
Marsha S. Aug 5, 2009, 5:50pm EDT
I have a cell phone so that I can be reached no matter what the time or where I might be
~Paying It Forward~
Linda T. Aug 6, 2009, 7:46am EDT
I tell everyone not to call the home phone because we rarely answer it. I would rather they call my cell and leave a message there. We rarely remember to check the home phone messages. Pif
Stacey *Mamasaid* D. Aug 7, 2009, 10:25am EDT
I rarely give out my cell phone number since it's turned off most of the time and I never check messages... pif
Stacy Farr Aug 9, 2009, 4:03am EDT
I use my cell as my only phone
Deloris Wright Aug 15, 2009, 6:53pm EDT
I just use my cell phone when I am gone from the house---Here from PIF
Cortney R. Aug 17, 2009, 9:45am EDT
My hubby and I have a cell phone together and that's never happened to us because we usually don't get service at our house. The one thing i hate about cell phones is when someone is standing pretty far away from you and they are talking so loud that you can hear every word of their conversation.
sonia v. Aug 21, 2009, 12:24pm EDT
i dont use a cell phone a lot
sally g. Sep 11, 2009, 11:49am EDT
I don't have a cell phone. Its nice to have one I think when there is an emergency.
lena k. Sep 12, 2009, 9:13am EDT
i know what you mean pif
Michelle S. Sep 18, 2009, 12:41am EDT
when i had a landline; my mother would do this to me. drove me nuts. i didn't answer the first call for a reason!! pif
Donna W. Sep 22, 2009, 7:56pm EDT
I know i have these calls that are bugging a person.
PIF
Lona Herling Sep 22, 2009, 10:15pm EDT
I wear my cell phone around my neck and i donr use it very much it is in case i should fall again and need help.
and i dont call people on one phone and then on their cell phone onlr time is if im sick or hurt, PIF
d d. Sep 23, 2009, 10:48am EDT
agree *pif
Tiffany v. Sep 23, 2009, 12:01pm EDT
Sure do,
PIF
Praj S. Sep 24, 2009, 11:31am EDT
Good write up
PIF
Love from Darlene! Sep 24, 2009, 2:43pm EDT
Keeping up with family and friends that have my phone numbers are never annoying to me. I am always happy to stop and listen and say a few words. I value the human voice experience. -PIF
Jan S. Sep 25, 2009, 2:31pm EDT
This has bothered me. I've had people call me when I am home alone and on the land line phone, then call the cell. While I have two hands and two ears, I cannot have two simultaneous phone conversations. Thank goodness for voice mail. pif
HEIDI F. Sep 26, 2009, 10:27pm EDT
Well, I only give my home phone to people I don't want to talk to. I never answer the home phone.
Cathie M. Oct 2, 2009, 4:11pm EDT
No, it doesn't bother me because if someone can't get me on the home phone they know to try to call me on the cell phone because I usually have it right by me or in my pocket where ever I am.
Shyann Reyes Oct 3, 2009, 4:26am EDT
I also hate it when people use their cell phones while driving, and when they are dealing with people such as customer service reps in a store.
Linda M. Nov 26, 2009, 1:37am EST
Love your phrase-busy doing whatever it is I left home for....how true!

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