Stop that ringing in my ears!

Cell phones aren't just a fad anymore. Everyone has them and it seems that no one can live without them. Although cell phones are so common place nowadays, some people could use a crash course in cell phone etiquette.

Everyone has been in a class when someone's cell phone rings. Most of the time, it's an accident and the student gets all red in the face because of his or her cheesy ringtone. But then there are times when it seems like the student doesn't care if the phone is off or not. And sometimes they'll even walk out of the room to answer the phone. This doesn't just happen in class, but during important meetings too. When this happens it really disturbs me because it is just downright rude.

But, it's not always the students with cell phone mishaps. I've been in several classes when a professor's cell phone rang. Usually they apologize repeatedly. Sometimes they make an excuse that someone is having a baby. But, the worst is when the professor answers the phone in the middle of class with no apology and no reason. I witnessed this just the other day. Not only did it happen with the professor, but our guest speaker also. They could have just reached over and hit the silent button. This really shocked me; I have high expectations of my professors and this seemed so unprofessional.

Welcome to Valene's Cell Phone Etiquette Class.

Rule Number One- Turn off your cell phones before class or a meeting. In fact, don't even put them on vibrate because that is usually louder than the ringing itself. Of course there will be times when you forget, so apologies will be accepted. And if someone is dying or having a baby, then that is an exception.

Rule Number Two- Most phone calls are not that important. Seriously, it can wait until you are back in the privacy of your own room. You don't need to go running out of class or your sorority meeting to go answer it. And if you do, you will appear extremely rude. At least to me.

Rule Number Three- If you are walking and talking with a friend, don't get on your cell phone. I am always surprised when I see two friends walking together and they are both on their cell phones. Time with your friends is golden, and like I said before, the phone call can wait.

Rule Number Four- If you are going to visit a friend, don't be on your cell phone when you get to their house. My friends do this to me all of the time and it is the most annoying thing. Especially when you are visiting a friend that you haven't seen in a while. Your friends want to see you, not sit there and listen to you talk on the phone. In fact, when you are visiting a friend, don't talk on the phone at all. Like I said before, time with friends is golden and when you are too busy blabbering on the phone it makes your friends feel less important.

I use my cell phone just as much as the next person, but I hope that I know when to put it down. And hopefully my rules will help you to realize when you are crossing the line into cell phone rudeness.