When Durex launched their ‘Connect’ video last month, the message was loud and clear — turn off to turn on. It said a lot about how we have become addicts to our smartphones. Even the latest McDonalds ‘Spend some time offline’ campaign made a lot of us go red in the face.
It’s heartening and at the same time scary that we are forced to have “rules” for mere devices that we call ‘smart’. Society is not angered by the mobile phone, but with the thoughtless ways it is being used.
It started off with little signs (etiquette in French) in waiting rooms of hospitals and theatres; announcements before the start of a concert/play and restaurants. Even some retail outlets and stores began to put up boards discouraging shoppers from walking around talking on their phones.
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The constant chatter of other people pouring out their love or discussing a business deal in the supermarket are definite irritants. Families that have come to enjoy a meal together in a restaurant stare into their smartphones, putting up status updates and tagging family members on Facebook or Instagram when they have hardly spoken to each other. The keyword to using these devices in public places is ‘short and sweet’. Everything else can wait for later.
My weekly visits to the temple in the neighbourhood are being disturbed by this one person who is perpetually on the phone — even when the arti is being taken. I watched her patiently for three weeks as she went around the temple talking on her phone throughout her time there. Last week, I almost went up to her to give her my little ‘go offline’ advice. But my own etiquette prevented me from doing so and all I was left doing was ranting to my mother over the phone about it. I visited mum the following day and she showed me an invitation that she received for a dance recital and here’s what I found in it. The mentor/teacher of the performing artiste was the same woman from the temple! What could be so important that she could not keep her call for later? The answer is simple: she is addicted to the device.
Talking too loudly into a cell phone is probably the worst on the annoyance list. But there are others too. Here are a few tips that can help us de-addict:
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There’s nothing more disturbing than an annoying ringtone, especially in a theatre or place of worship. Turn off the phone or switch to vibrate when in public places.
Don’t make or take calls when you’re in the middle of a conversation. By doing so, you’re only making the other person feel second best.
Keep calls to a minimum in public places.
When at home remain offline. This way you are telling your family and people around you that they come first in your life.
(A weekly column in which Sulakshana Badani will answer your queries related to etiquette. Write to her at staystylish24x7@gmail.com)