Telstra tips for avoiding Phone-Pas offences
Filed under: consumer, etiquette, mobile phone, research, smart phone, social trends
According to Telstra’s State of the Nation Report, which lifts the lid on the nation’s mobile phone habits, a whopping four out of five Australians agree that, despite technology getting better, we’re actually becoming ruder.
The report indicates traditional gripes such as talking loudly on the phone and using a mobile while driving remain the top complaints however, a new set of smart phone specific ‘phone-pas’ are moving up the list FAST. And when you consider that half of all handset sales in Telstra Stores are email-enabled smart phones, it’s not surprising.
How many of us have been distracted by our colleagues responding to emails in meetings, or worse – a partner checking their emails in bed! Call me old fashioned, but I don’t think facebook at the dinner table is a must and I think we can all do without listening to someone’s music collection on public transport – as much as I love the latest indie-grunge-metal sensation on the Australian music scene….
When it comes to navigating the complex world of mobile etiquette, I recommend a couple of simple tips. Firstly, be ‘socially sensitive’ – be aware of those around you and save certain discussions for a private place. Also, think before your post – a picture, status update or check-in can say a thousand words.
Telstra’s top five tips for avoiding Phone-Pas offences …
Telstra tips for avoiding Phone-Pas offences include:
- Your mobile phone shouldn’t be part of the table setting. A restaurant isn’t your bedroom, so don’t spend your night out with friends, calling or texting a “better” friend.
- Shut app! No one should tweet what they had for lunch and yes, that includes your latest coffee order.
- Hold that post. A picture tells a thousand words so always seek permission before taking someone’s photograph and remember the golden rule – always think before you post.
- The person at the movies, wedding, funeral… Don’t use the movies as a time to catch up with every friend you’ve ever had, for three solid hours. The rest of the paying audiences don’t want to hear it.
- Be in the moment. It’s not OK to be in a face to face conversation with someone and answer your phone. Always ask, “Do you mind if I answer this?” when your phone rings in company – it’s not the end of the world if the call goes to MessageBank.
Fancy sharing with us your worst Phone-Pas moment?
- Share on the Telstra facebook Page
- Or use the hashtag #phonepas
My most annoying moment “amongst many”, was when I was driving along busy Gardeners Road in Sydney, only to be cut off by a Push Bike Rider, who then rode smack in the middle of the lane. Much horn blowing by myself and others could not make this idiot move.So I changed lanes, upon moving along side of this person…. they were wearing a proper helmet , eye protection, gloves, correct pants and shoes and so on. However I couldn’t but notice the Apple Iphone ear plugs and she was in mid conversation and could not hear a darn thing. When I nearly hit her she had rode straight through an intersection without right of way, did not look and could see her lips moving …… This mesmerised me so much I just had to see the root cause… yep.. a “un-smart phone”. I have come to the conclusion, the Technology is good, it is the Idiots that we allow to use it.
Oh, and by the way, much hand waving and tooting to try and get her attention only resulted in her turning her back against myself and the lady behind me. She was not going to be interrupted by such rude people as us.. How dare we!!
I agree that with all the technology that we have, most of us don’t use it properly. We don’t need to be asked what to do because we are responsible to all our actions.