The Golden Rules of TECH-etiquette
First let me start by saying there are only moderate exceptions to the following rules and they are the fact that you are out and have children at home or are caring for a sick parent and need to maintain your lines of communication BUT even then you can be courteous by stepping out to answer a call whether you are at an appointment, store, party, work, gym etc.. OR keep your phone turned off and monitor your voice mails or make ‘checking in’ calls when you are able to break away.
There is nothing I hate more than people who cannot adhere to the following 10 Rules of Tech-etiquette:
Rule #1: Don’t be an “Exhibition talker,” who forces strangers to listen to your lengthy cell phone conversation when they have no way out because they’re standing in line at the post office, waiting in a doctor’s office or sitting on a bus, plane or train. You get the point, I hope!!
Rule #2: Don’t be a “Techno-pest” who types e-mails while talking on the phone. The tapping sound of the keyboard indicates your lack of interest in the conversation. You may think they cant hear you but they can not only in your lack of response but the insistent typing as well!!
Rule #3: Don’t say “excuse me” in the middle of a conversation, get together, luncheon, party etc so you can rudely answer your cell phone and casually talk to someone else for a few minutes or more.
Rule #4: Don’t cause “Cell bump” by making someone bump into you when you stop short to grab your ringing cell phone from your purse or jacket.
Rule #5: Do begin your e-mails with a greeting like, “Hello” or “Good Morning.”
Rule #6: Don’t be a “Crackberry” addict and tap away on your blackberry or text messaging device while in the middle of a face-to-face conversation with someone.
Rule #7: Do reply to e-mails with “Got it” or “Thanks” whenever someone e-mails you information you requested, even when that person doesn’t ask you to confirm receipt. You should ALWAYS respond if someone emails you a note to say “hello'’, find out how an event was or mailed you a token for a birthday or holiday. Take the time to send a Thank you or Response back in a timely manner. In the world of 24-7 technology of Postal Mail, Phones, Email and Text messaging there is no excuse to ever use “I am too busy” and ignore people when they’ve gone out of their way to send you something!!
Rule #8: Don’t use e-mail as a tool to say something you would not have the courage to say in person. In most cases email does not convey the same tone you may intend and can almost always be taken in the wrong context.
Expect that one day you will face that person and he/she will remember every word you wrote.
Rule #9: Do remember that an e-mail reflects your personal image. If you misspell words, it could indicate to some people that you are lazy or lack education. This is true especially when doing business!!
Rule #10: Don’t discuss personal or revealing information on your cell phone when in public. Assume that whatever you say about yourself or others will appear on the front page of The New York Times.
How many of you follow the Golden Rules of Tech-etiquette?? Wow, Don’t all raise your hands at once!! Don’t worry next time I see or better yet Hear you out in Public I will be happy to give you a little nudge to remind you…..
} The Mrs {
Just an FYI:
My personal Golden Rule on Gifts is once I have received Postal Card with Gift, Gift alone, or package of any kind from someone else I ALWAYS take the time the very same day I receive it to send a quick email or phone call of thanks and on a really good day I will stick a thank you note in the mail.
If only everyone could manage this……
- - - - - S P O N S O R I N G A D V E R T I S M E N T - - - - -