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Ask Dallas – Is it poor form to text, Twitter, Facebook, etc on your phone in a meeting?
Make Your Best Impression Blog · July 24, 2009
Q: So many people can Twitter, Facebook, etc on their phones. Is it poor form to text, Twitter, Facebook, etc on your phone in a meeting? Drives me crazy when I am trying to speak to an individual or a group and they are all looking down at their phones, typing or reading.
Dayna Steele, Seabrook TX
A: Dear Dayna,
Yes, you are absolutely justified to be frustrated when someone begins to look down and type on their cell phone. There is no one more important than the person that is right “in front” of you. When someone begins to look down during a meeting, they are telling everyone else in the room “You are not important”. This is completely disrespectful and improper etiquette. We need to learn to show respect to others. In doing so, we must learn how to use these networking tools without damaging the relationships that are front and center. If you are counting on Twitter and Facebook to advance your career while ignoring the person that can introduce you to your next professional opportunity, you have a long road ahead.
EtiquetteGal
**Be sure to send your questions to the EtiquetteGal
3 Comments on "Ask Dallas – Is it poor form to text, Twitter, Facebook, etc on your phone in a meeting?"
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Maria Meiners on Fri, 24th Jul 2009 12:28 pm
Hi Dayna,
I totally agree that it’s rude to divide attention that way. Even worse is phones ringing because people haven’t put them on silent.
At a company I worked for years back they had a strict no phone policy at meetings. If you were caught you had to pay a $25 fine (which was later donated to charity). That eliminated most phone use.
The thing about social networking is that it can suck you in and you feel like you have to instantly answer everything. Trust me…people can wait 30 minutes to read your words of wisdom!
Today if I’m in a meeting and see people on their phones I simply stop and when they realize I’m not talking I just say “let me know when you’re done so I can continue.” Usually the embarrassment factor is enough to keep things moving
Good luck!
Maria ~ Manifesting Muse
Michelle on Fri, 24th Jul 2009 9:29 pm
Of course it is poor etiquette.I was at a play yesterday where not only did a guy leave his phone on, he actually took a call during Act I. Our social manners are being sucked away by cell phones, facebook and IM’s!
Have you ever been in a restaurant and watched another table where one person is sitting bored while the other is playing on their phone?
-M.
http://www.metrony.com
Robert Riddell on Tue, 28th Jul 2009 2:14 pm
I would compare it to having a conversation with a third person while someone is trying to speak to you, just plain rude, but it seems that many of today’s techgens are simply clueless! rather than use technology, they let it run them.