A quick walk down any street or neighborhood will reveal that the hottest way to communicate is via cell phone. Gone are the days when cell phones and beepers were considered luxury items for society’s elite. {{more}}Everyone from teenagers, to doctors to street vendors find cell phones to be an essential tool to stay in touch and for some it’s a way to portray an air of importance.
July is cell phone etiquette month and as the cell phone explosion continues across the Caribbean basin, knowing general cell phone etiquette can make life a little bearable and even safer for everyone.

1. Cell phones should be turned off or placed on vibrate when in meetings, religious ceremonies, restaurants, museums, movies, hospitals and doctors’ offices.

2. For safety reasons, avoid using your cell phone while driving or use a headset to lessen the chances of being distracted.

3. Be discreet when using the cell phone in public. Avoid the tendency to discuss very personal matters, confidential business information, or argue in public.

4. Lower your voice, and keep the conversation short. Regardless of who you are speaking with there is no need to have your conversation sound like a shouting match.

5. If your phone has picture-taking capabilities do not abuse this function and violate the rights of others.

6. If you are with a group of people and your cell phone rings, excuse yourself from the group and keep the conversation brief.

7. Avoid the tendency to speak on the phone while interacting with someone else whether that is in a store, at school, the bank etc. Do one thing at a time.

8. Be selective about where you answer your phone. You will annoy others if you answer your phone on a public bus and proceed to have a long, involved conversation.