One thing that amazes me everyday when I am in the store or airport is when people are talking on cell phones. I really think that people believe that they are talking to others through a string and cup system. It is amazing how much of the conversation is being yelled from the side of the person talking on the cell phone. Guess what, the cell phone works the same as it does from a land line, do you yell on your land line phone?

Continuing on with cell phones. Headsets, other wise called hands free headsets, are made so that you can drive your car and talk on the phone at the same time. They are not made for people to walk around the world and look like they are talking to themselves. The other problem that this causes is that some people think that you are talking to them when using the headset, especially when they can not see the headset. I personally think that this is number two of the ruder things that can be done. Want to know what the number one rudest action is, here you go.

Never for any reason pick up the cell phone when you are at a restaurant, in an elevator or during a meeting. I really do not care that you are out with your girlfriend, wife, husband, boyfriend, parents or co workers and really need to take the phone call. If this is the case, leave the table and go up to the bar, restrooms, or outside. No one in the restaurant wants to hear what you really have to say. They would rather talk to the people that they are with at the restaurant.

One thing that I also noticed was that people really do not pay attention where they are walking when using there PDA or game system. I know that everyone needs to stay connected when they are traveling, but move off to the side and stand still so you do not have to worry about a airport courtesy car driving towards you. As for the game systems, I have yet to find a game that is so important that your child has to play it while walking to the baggage claim. I heard a parent tell their child to pay attention to where they were walking 5 times, each time they walked into someone. In my opinion if they walked into one person, the game system should have been taken away, even if this means that the child kicks and screams, at least this could be entertaining for others around you.

Now on to laptops. When traveling never think that what you type on the screen is only seen by you. For instance as I am typing this I have a person right behind me standing and watching the screen (I am at an airport waiting for a plane while writing this). I would never type anything that was very sensitive while on a plane or in an airport. As for using your laptop, it is ok to use your laptop, however if you need to plug it in, do not string the cord across the walk way and preferably hold the laptop close to you so that every person walking by will have to say “excuse me” for you to fold the screen down and bring it closer. If you are watching a movie on the laptop, then please have head phones on and better yet use them. I know it sounds funny to say it but I have found there is a difference between having them on and using them.

A lot of thing I have mentioned sound a little odd or things that should be understood. However, the only reason why I bring them up is because I have actually seen them. When using any technology think before you use it. Think about how it affects people around you, and think about how someone using the same technology affects you. When you are out there in the world do not let your technology make people think you are rude.