Cell Phone Etiquette

Sprint has declared July National Cell Phone Courtesy Month. Click here to take their 14-question Wireless Courtesy Quiz. I scored 89 out of 100, which is very disappointing considering that I don't even have a cell phone to be rude on. Of the 1317 people who have taken the quiz so far, 29% scored 90-100 (extremely courteous), 34% scored 80-89 (quite well), 26% "got some right" in the 70-79 range, and 11% scored less than 70 and "need to rethink" their public cell phone use. Somehow, I think more than 11% should be in that last category.

Now, I know you all are very courteous on your cell phones and never interrupt live in-person conversations to answer your cell phone unless you have warned the other party in advance that you are expecting a call that you absolutely must take, but we all know people who have held taken cell phone conversations in the restroom. I'd like to go on record as saying to these people that it is most disconcerting to be in the stall next to you as you carry on a one-sided conversation at top volume. For those less than courteous people, Sprint has a handy page outlining Consumer Tips on Wireless Etiquette. That list should be preprogrammed as the default ring tone on all cell phones.