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?

Can I Talk To You About Your Cell Phone, Please?

Remember the other day when we talked about controversial things? It did create some discussion around here.
One person told me that I didn't include cell phones and how annoying they are in the library.
So, can I talk to you about your cell phone, please?
We have an awful time with cell phones around here. Although there are signs posted all over the place, people still tend to ignore them, as well as the people they are bothering.
We ask patrons turn off their cell phones or put them on mute. However, if they ring, patrons are to take them to the genealogy foyer or outside to answer. Invariably, the person will answer it right then and talk (sometimes loudly) as they walk through the hall or down the steps to outside. Many times they get only as far as the short corridor where the restrooms are. They go around the corner and hide while they talk. They're standing in front of three signs that say "No cell phones." Blind as bats.
Many times they get upset with us because they can't sit at the computer and have their discussion. Of course, that upsets the people next to them, who are trying to concentrate on whatever they have on their computers.
We thought about banning cell phones. We thought about having a counter where cell phones could be checked in until the patron was ready to leave the library. You know, kinda like when the gunslingers used to have to check their guns in at the bar.
But we shouldn't have to do that with people who consider themselves adults. Just like we shouldn't have to ask a person to take his/her cell phone outside. Just like we shouldn't have to argue with someone who probably knows what the library rule is.
And have you heard some of the different rings those phones have? All the way from chimes to the latest number one song on the hit parade chart.
I have a little friend who would take me to task about even writing such things, since everyone is supposed to have the right to do whatever they want to do, if it's not hurting anyone else.
But, your cell phone, when it rings in the wrong place...like the hospital or church or movies or the library...does hurt others. It makes them angry you're not more considerate of them. It makes them really dislike you, especially since they were considerate enough to turn off their own cell phones.
I guess the last thing I'll say about cell phones is this. I received an email this morning showing an old gentleman, who said he was retired. And here's what he said about cell phones:
"I was thinking about how a status symbol of today is those cell phones that everyone has clipped to their belt or purse. I can't afford one, so I'm wearing my garage door opener. I also made a cover for my hearing aid, and now I have what they call blue teeth,
I think."
If you don't believe we have a policy regarding cell phones, please check at the circulation counter. Everyone would really appreciate it.