I am in a bit of ranting mood right now… I’m supposed to be on a serene and peaceful mood whenever I come from visiting the church. I usually go to Baclaran church Thursday or Fridays or Saturdays whichever day suits my schedule and of course if the weather permits.

I’m really just bothered by other people who use their cellphones without respect for the place as well as for other people. The place was really quiet with a lot of people praying and meditating, then all of a sudden a cellphone rings! It was loud and the owner didn’t bother picking it up as fast as she can but took her time in answering and proceeded to talk to whomever was calling her.

Its high time that all of us should practice cellphone etiquette and be mindful of others. How do we practice this?

  • Apply the golden rule. Use your common and good sense and your discretion. In movie houses, people there are interested in the movie, they don’t give a hoot about you having a lover’s quarrel over the cellphone.
  • Put yourself in other’s shoes. It is simply impolite to break public quiet – like in a library where others are reading, writing.. If it cannot be avoided, excuse yourself and find a place where your voice won’t be carried.
  • Learn either to take messages and call back when its appropriate. Turn off or put your phone on silent mode until you’re in a place where you can talk.
  • Turn off phone or be on vibrating mode in places where ringers could be intrusive, such as performances (concerts, plays etc), libraries, restaurants, church, movies. You might not believe it but people actually hear you when you’re talking on a cellphone.
  • Observe people around you. Are they giving you that annoyed, “get-lost”, pissed stare? Chances are you have to reconsider your phone behavior if you’re always receiving annoyed glares.

Now, I’ve said my piece. I hope people would really pay attention to right manners. I am at the risk of sounding like a guidance counselor now but what the #%^&! I can really get annoyed by bad manners. Ignorance is forgivable but having bad manners, geez! that is just horrible.