Mobile the Menace

            A few weeks back, I was visiting a friend of mine in the ICU of a renowned hospital in Delhi and suddenly people there were jolted out of their senses by a shrill ring that played out a raunchy tune — kaanta laga — and reverberated across the hall. This was followed by a loud polyphonic Boney M tune!!        Actually, this is not an isolated incident. The Mobile Menace has acquired mammoth proportions and it is everywhere, anywhere. — from seminars and restaurants to hospitals and condolence meetings. Worse are what the service providers call Hello Tunes – you call up someone to convey some serious news and you are greeted by the choicest of the love songs!!! These technological innovations – ring tones and hello tones – get on my nerves.

            It is so common during official meetings that despite repeated reminders to put cell phones on silent mode, rings keep on going on ranging from loud to raunchy tunes and most such users take ages to find the talk button and then talk so loudly as if they were addressing a gathering of a thousand people. The meetings are visibly disturbed and embarrassed. It seems most such people acquire expensive gadgets which they don’t even know how to operate. Most people acquire these gadgets for showing off rather than actual use.

Another irritant in official meetings is people SMSing away to glory rather than listening to what is been discussed. Officials also face the problem of everyone calling on mobiles rather than on the Office land line even during office hours for all kinds of reasons. As far as possible, if it is not an emergency, officials should be called on their land line numbers rather than mobile numbers. Moreover, calling on mobile phone should be done only when the concerned person has given you his number and expects that you can call on his mobile. Most mobile users are yet to imbibe the etiquette of using this new technology. People are yet to realise that the mobile should be used without disturbing others. Lack of mobile etiquette is also putting other people's life at risk. Many people talk on their mobile phones while driving. This is very dangerous. The menace has spread so fast that a report says that penalty collection by the Ahmedabad police from those talking on phones while driving has jumped 506 per cent this year over 2003.

It is important that we all use our mobile phones in a responsible manner and to be considerate and aware of situations where using their mobile phone might annoy others. There are simple manners and courtesies that should be observed while using Cell Phones.

1. When in doubt, always go out: When possible go outside or to another room to make your call if your call might disturb others. Also, features such as text messaging answering services, call diversion and vibration alert can be used to receive important calls without disturbing others.

2. If you can’t turn it off, use silent mode: If you need to keep your phone on for important calls, then turn it to silent or vibrate mode. It’s the ring of a mobile phone in inappropriate places and times such as at meetings, in performances or in restaurants which annoys people the most.

3. When required turn your phone off and check it’s off: There are some places where people should never talk on a mobile phone or send text messages and where the ringing of a mobile phone or message alert is considered highly unacceptable, such as: movies, stage shows, weddings, funerals, concerts, meetings, speeches, classrooms and lectures. In these cases, turn your phone off and remember to check it’s off before you enter the venue. You can always check your missed calls and text messages afterwards.

4. Keep your conversations private: People’s sense of personal space varies in each situation. Making a call in a busy place may be okay, but talking loudly in a confined space like a lift or on a train tends to infringe on others personal space. Be aware of where you are and who you are with and what others are doing before deciding to make or accept a call. In some situations it might be better to send a text message.

5. Speak softly: Mobile phones have very sensitive microphones that can pick even the softest voice, so there is no need to shout. If you are having trouble hearing the other caller, check that you have the volume on your phone set high enough.

6. You don’t always have to answer- use your messaging service: It’s a natural reflex to answer your phone if it rings, however, if you forget to put your phone on silent or vibrate mode and it rings at an inappropriate moment, let it be a missed call so that you can call later or use auto SMS reply service.

7. Talk to the one you’re with: If you receive a call during a conversation, send the call to your voicemail or answering service. Your first priority should be to the person you are with. However, if you are expecting an important call let the person you’re with know before the call arrives and excuse yourself before accepting the call.

8. Don’t send inappropriate messages: Messaging is a great way to communicate, but don’t send offensive or threatening text, voice, picture or any other sort of message, because it is a criminal offence to use a mobile phone to menace or harass someone. Also receivers can save messages and easily identify you as the sender. Avoid sending offensive jokes to people you are not very friendly with and just know as an acquaintance.

9. Respect others' privacy when using in-phone cameras: In-phone cameras shouldn’t be used anywhere a normal camera would be considered inappropriate, such as in change rooms or toilets. You should ask for permission before you take someone’s picture. Also bear in mind that some venues do not allow the use of cameras and may refuse entry to anyone with one.

10. Ban the ring: not the phone: Wherever conversations are normally acceptable, venues can help by asking people to turn their phones to silent or vibrate mode rather than turning it off. This approach will help with compliance, especially for people who need their phone for important calls. Venues can also assist by reminding people to set their phones to silent mode, before they enter.

It is felt that following these simple mobile manners can help us take care of the menace, a mobile is slowly becoming. Wish the readers a very best in using technology for their benefit as also ensuring to not to disturb others.