DO YOU HEAR ME NOW?

     If you watch any television at all, you've probably seen the commercial where the guy is walking all over town, saying on his cell phone, "Do you hear me now?"
     And if you've been in a library, any library, or elevator, restaurant, theater, or physician's waiting room, just to name a few places, you've probably had to listen to someone's cell phone conversation.
     When I went home for lunch today, I browsed through an old magazine that had been donated to our library and there to my amazement was an article about "mobile manners."  The article was by Dorothea Johnson, the founder and chair of The Protocol School of Washington.  She is an etiquette expert.  As usual, I found something to share with people who frequent libraries.
     All of us who work in libraries have the same problem as others who oversee the "quietness" of their establishment.  We have a difficult time in helping patrons understand that not everyone wants to hear their cell phone conversations, not everyone wants their quiet time interrupted, but most everyone feels that rude people should be cast out of the establishment for not abiding by the library rules.  And all libraries have some sort of rule about cell phone use.
     Ms. Johnson had some suggestions about cell phone etiquette that I had not read about or heard of.  And so I thought I might share them with you.  Maybe you have heard of them, but if you haven't, this would be a good time to consider them, especially if you are a cell phone user.
     Ms. Johnson had this suggestion for public places:
     * Don't talk in elevators, libraries, museums, restaurants, funerals, cemeteries, theaters, physicians' waiting rooms, places of worship, auditoriums, or other enclosed public spaces, such as hospital emergency rooms or buses.  (Well!  We know that suggestion is ignored!)
     * Respect the signs that state, "Cell Phone Use Not Allowed."
     We've tried to be really nice about cell phone users in our library; we've politely asked them to take their calls away from the computer area (that's usually where they are when their cell phones ring), preferably in the genealogy foyer where we have nice, padded benches for them to sit on.  We've posted the cutest signs all around the library showing a turkey with tail feathers that are cell phones.  The signs say "Don't be a cell phone turkey.  Turn it off in the library."  And when people would hide in the book stacks (between the bookcases), we had to post signs on bright lime-green paper that said, "No cell phone use area."  So, we've tried to be really nice about it all.
     Ms. Johnson also had these suggestions for public places other than the ones above:
     * Keep conversations brief and to the point.
     * Maintain at least a 10-foot "talk-free" zone from others while using your cell phone.
     * Remember your public conversation is not private.
     * Don't have emotional conversations in public.
     * Don't use loud and annoying ring tones.
     * Don't "multitask" by making calls while shopping, banking, waiting in line, or conducting other personal business.  
     It's rather hard to maintain a 10-foot "talk-free" zone when you're in Walmart or the doctor's office.  A couple of weeks ago while at my doctor's office, I was privileged to listen to three cell phone conversations all at the same time.  One was to a friend, just chatting about all kinds of personal stuff.  One was to a business, while the caller was also working on her laptop.  And the other, well, it was a 10-year-old talking to a little friend.  None were brief and to the point.
     Then there was my visit to Walmart last Friday, when I saw a lady bent over, pushing her basket, and chatting on her cell phone.  Since she was looking down as she concentrated on her conversation, I was glad I was looking as she pushed into my path.  I said, "Sorry," but she just kept talking on her phone.  And frowned at me, like I was in her way.
     Ms. Johnson said she was someone who wanted to build a more humane attitude and reclaim civil behavior, especially when it comes to cell phones.  She urged everyone to practice electronic protocols.  She urged everyone to become diplomats for civility.
     I guess the next thing is for everyone to look up the word "civility" in their dictionary...pardon me, their electronic dictionary.
     As for ring tones, I don't believe there are any that are not loud.  Have you heard the ones of a horn honking or dogs barking or a baby crying?  Those fall into the annoying tones.
     Ms. Johnson said technology and manners can be compatible - if we make an effort.
     I'm all for it.  How about you?