© Cartoon: Mike Lester, The Rome News-Tribune Project: Cynthia Kirkeby, ClassBrain

Cell Phone Etiquette

If cell phones are driving you crazy, here are a few simply rules of courtesy to pass out to your family and friends:

• Turn off your phone as you enter a theater, lecture, class room, conference or other public function. If you really can't be out of touch, PUT IT ON VIBRATE!
  
  
• If you find your movie or other event boring, please do not whip out your cell phone and play games or use your organizer. The light from your cell phone screen is bright enough to be seen across the theater.
  
  
• If you do need to answer a phone during a class or other public function, please get up out of your seat and go out into the hall to have your conversation.
  
  
• Please follow all of the above rules in restaurants. There is nothing that kills a romantic dinner quicker than some idiot at the table next to you shouting on his cell phone.
  
  
• Please do not use your cell phone while you are driving, unless you are using a handsfree phone. It is illegal to use a handheld phone in many parts of the country, and it increases the possibility of an accident. For more tips on cell phone use safety while driving please visit ClassBrain's Cell Phone Road Rules.
  
  
• Make your car restricted cell phone area for passengers. It's rather rude to chat away on a phone while someone is shuttling you around town, and it can be distracting enough to cause an accident.
  
  
• Don't talk into your cell phone while someone is waiting on you, either shopping or at fast food locations. It's enormously rude to disregard someone that is trying to assist you.

Discussion Questions

1. what other rules do you think should be added to this list?
   
   
2. Do you think any of these rules are unnecessary?
   
   
3. What are the benefits of limiting some of your cell phone usage?

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