Perspective: It's time for mobile-gadget etiquette

Enough!

Whether on a bus, train or ferry, in a store, at the movie theater, in an office (or practically any public place), I find myself bombarded by the rings of cell phones or the alerts and alarms of personal digital assistants.

For me, the worst of such fairly common experiences takes place early in the morning, when I board the ferry to commute across the San Francisco Bay. This arguably could be the world's best commute in terms of beauty and nature. But then, a cell phone invariably rings. And there I am at 6 a.m., still waking to the world while being forced to hear conversations such as "buy, sell," and on and on.

Here's an original thought: Set your cell phones and PDAs to vibrate and not make noise.

True, some places now have mandated cell phone-free zones. But outside compulsion only addresses part of the solution. A little communications gadgets etiquette is in order.

People do not want to hear other people's cell phone calls. If they thought about it, I'm sure the folks on the calls probably wouldn't want to share the contents of their calls either. And I'm sure most of you are not thrilled about being forced to listen to alerts and alarms from other people's PDAs.

So here's an original thought: Set your cell phones and PDAs to vibrate and not make noise (it's in the directions). If there is an incoming communication, you do not always need to pick up and respond immediately--especially in public when this will inevitably disturb others.

Some may object that I'm trying to hold back the wheels of progress. Not at all. Once upon a time, we did not have the technology to instantaneously communicate with each other. Guess what? The world did not fall apart based on a slightly delayed response.

In some ways, the more we supposedly are connected, the more we are growing apart. Many of us have been present for in-person meetings, yet most of the people in attendance are busy reaching out elsewhere on their BlackBerries or Treos.

Of course, easier said than done. As a recovering BlackBerry junkie, I have a confession to make: I have an instant reflex to constantly check my 'Berry for incoming messages. But I try not to bother others. I don't speak too loudly--or even at all--on my cell phone when I'm in public. Really.

I even am trying not to look at my BlackBerry during meetings. I may use it to take pertinent notes and to calendar items relating to the discussion, but I am seeking not to wander elsewhere through this device such that I am not present for those people who are with me in the moment.

So, whatever happened to peace and quiet? Let's together try to bring some of that back into our lives. The sky will not fall. We may even find ourselves refreshed and more capable of handling our daily tasks.

Biography
Eric J. Sinrod is a partner in the San Francisco office of Duane Morris. His focus includes information technology and intellectual-property disputes. To receive his weekly columns, send an e-mail to [e-mail] with "Subscribe" in the subject line. This column is prepared and published for informational purposes only, and it should not be construed as legal advice. The views expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the author's law firm or its individual partners.

More Perspectives

[Rick Schwartz]

Yes - Oh God - Yes

All the new technology is wonderful. I use it all.
There is no reason that having all these wonderful gadgets and instant connectivity has to stop us from being humans.

My favorite is the guy I saw recently arguing with someone at the gym. He apparently was in an aerobics class chattering away loudly while jumping around doing the routine. I didn't see the beginning of the argument but allegedly he was talking very loudly because the music in the room was loud.

His opponent was trying to tell him that if his call was so urgent that it couldn't wait,he should have left the class.

The talker said that he paid for his club membership just like everyone else and he had a right to be there. He said that he had a daily conference call with some folks in Asia and this was the only time they could do and it was the only time that he could attend the class.

He probably doesn't wipe his perspiration off the weight machines and relieves himself in the showers too.

[iammilo]

I agree, but...

While I do agree with everything stated in the story, I have to take temporary residence on the soapbox for just a moment to gripe about another matter.

I don't intend to be rude, but Mr. Sinrod's writing skills are on par with a college student that has fallen asleep one too many times during his English classes. Rather than the fluid, aqueous prose of a seasoned editor, Mr. Sinrod stumbles along with choppy sentences that seem to have been cut off at the knees, making them passive and awkward in nearly every instance.

As I said, I do not mean to offend, but Mr. Sinrod might consider a few more rounds of edits before publishing his next article.