Cell Phone Do's And Don't During A Meeting

What would we do without our cell phones? Wow,beeps - or in some cases, symphonies. Odds are
there's a scary question. It's hard to imagine ayou're annoying the heck out of someone else in
world without them. But cell phones, connected asthe room, namely, the person sitting two feet
they may keep us, seem to have an amazingacross the table. Most cell phones have buttons
power to disturb and trump face to faceon the outside that double as ring silencers. Use
interaction. For example, why is it that during a'em. Consult your manual and learn how to quickly
meal or a meeting, people insist on taking everysilence your phone while it's still in your pocket. If
call? Even worse, just let the phone ring? Theyyou happen to sport the Clint Eastwood Quick
forget all about the person across the table as ifDraw Cell Phone Holster, great! Silencing should be
they were invisible!This violates the golden rule ofeven easier. No excuses.DO...Turn It Off
interpersonal communication, which is to make theA fool-proof solution to cell phone interruption is
other person feel like the most important personbest personified by the words of Mr. Miyagi from
in the world.The following is a list of cell phone do'sThe Karate Kid II. He said, "The best way to
and don'ts that will help you avoid embarrassingblock a punch is to not be there." In other words,
yourself while still honoring the person across thejust turn your phone off. This is a great way to
table. (This information is NOT found in the 147avoid incoming calls or the temptation to make
page Sprint PCS handbook.) Whether you're atoutgoing calls.DO NOT...Insult the Absent
lunch or in a one-on-one meeting, use theseSome people answer their phones during a
etiquette tips to combat even the most enticingmeeting or meal and try to compensate for their
barriers that stand in your way of being anrudeness by insulting the person on the other line
effective communicator.DO...Be Subtle Yet- as if this makes up for it. They roll their eyes.
AccessibleThey give you the "just a minute" index finger.
The three possible locations to keep your phoneThey impatiently bob their head back and forth to
are: bag, belt or pocket. Many people chose tothe rhythm of their boring conversation while
keep cell phones in their bags because offorming their non-phone hand into the "Quack
pocket-less wardrobes. If this is the case for you,Quack" gesture which symbolizes someone on
be sure to choose a vibrating or single beep ringthe other line who won't shut up. Meanwhile you're
that is audible, yet minimal so it doesn't ring sevensitting there like an idiot, feeling bad for the
times while you search through your bag.Pocketsperson on the other end of the phone, deciding
and belt clips are the most efficient places towhether or not you should have another
keep your phone because you are able to answerroll.DO...Wait for the Right Time
the ringer right away. Also you can silence theThe best time to check missed calls that you
ringer right away. Remember, the last thing yourpolitely silenced is when you or your colleague is
friend or colleague wants to hear during theaway from the table. This will give you enough
meeting is an annoying MIDI version oftime to see what you missed, and if need be -
Beethoven's 9th piercing his ears.DO NOT...Layreturn an emergency call. And if you must return
Your Phone on the Tablethe call immediately, don't do it at the table.
The moment you sit down to lunch withPolitely say, "Please excuse me for a minute, but
someone, what's the first thing you do? CheckI have to take this call."Some sneaky people - my
out the menu? Take a sip of water? Unfold yourlast date for example - pretend to use the
napkin? If you're like me, you succumb to thebathroom for the sole purpose of making a phone
power of the almighty carbohydrate and go tocall. This is an effective technique, but be careful.
town on the rolls.But imagine this: you sit down toIf you've had a few glasses of water, ten
eat only to watch the person across the tableminutes later when you really do have to go, you'll
reach into her pocket, grab her cell phone, andturn into "The Boy Who Cried Hello."DO
smack it right down next to the salt shaker.NOT...Debate the Caller ID
Ouch.Does that mean she has an emergency callNothing is more frustrating than to be on the
coming in? Probably not. It sounds more like, asother end of the "Caller ID Debate." If you're not
Jerry Seinfeld says, "I have 62 other people onfamiliar with this atrocity, here are the four steps.
speed dial that I could call if I wanted to; so you(1) They give you the "just a minute" index finger,
better be interesting." That is not the way to(2) They check their caller ID, (3) They tilt their
make someone feel important.DO...Takehead and stare at the phone for 2-5 seconds, and
Emergencies(4) They make a decision to answer the call or
If you know ahead of time that an incoming callreturn to your conversation. This is terribly
is a business or personal emergency, answer it.uncomfortable. You actually watch your friend (?)
This is what cell phones are for. But other than andecide whether or not there's someone else she'd
emergency message or a call that directly affectsrather talk to. Ouch.The Bottom Line
all people the conversation at hand, there'sCell phones have become a primary form of
nobody calling you that can't wait an hour for youcommunication. In fact, manufacturers will ship
to call him back. In the history of cell phones,585 million phones in 2004, according to a study
nobody has ever said, "You were in a meeting?!from market watcher Strategy Analytics. But
And THEN you called me back?! How rude!"DOwith every phone shipped comes a coefficient of
NOT...Wear Phone Accessories During the Meetingfrustration caused by improper etiquette. Show
consideration for the person joining you and be
If you sit through an entire meeting wearing anmindful of ringers, accessories and incoming calls.
earpiece, headset or any otherAnd if you use your cell phone at the right time
ssory, you should be ashamed of yourself. That'sfor the right reason, you will honor your company
like taking your spouse to a singles bar!Nonverbalas an effective communicator.Remember: don't
communication speaks before you do. It accountsincur the opportunity cost of cell phone
for 93% of your communication. So, along withconvenience at the expense of someone sitting
eye contact, smiling and open body language -right across the table. You're sitting down with
involvement shields like cell phone headsets canhim. Talk to HIM!© 2005 All Rights
nonverbally send the wrong message, forReserved.Scott Ginsberg is a professional
example: "Please anticipate our meeting beingspeaker, "The World's Foremost Expert on
interrupted by somebody more important thanNametags" and the author of HELLO my name is
you."DO NOT...Let Your Phone Ring Twelve TimesScott and The Power of Approachability. He helps
people MAXIMIZE their approachability and
Especially if your cell phone ring is audible frombecome UNFORGETTABLE communicators - one
Jupiter, always silence the ringer after threeconversation at a time.