July is National Cell Phone Courtesy Month encouraging us all to consider others when it comes to using your mobile phone. First of all, is it really a "cell" phone or "Mobile" phone or is it as Merriam-Webster's defines it?
"PDA - a small hand-held device equipped with a microprocessor that is used especially for storing and organizing personal information." But that's so 1992...
According to the site that choreographs not only monthly but weekly & daily event reminders for over 1,500 things to celebrate.
A woman named Jacqueline Whitmore, a Palm Beach, Florida manners expert, created the month with the help of Sprint to increase cell phone etiquette. They provide 7 obvious tips on how to maintain courteous conversations.
A lot has changed in the past 29 years when it comes to how people use their phones.
That leads me to my personal dysfunctional discovery on a recent flight.
I was flying solo and had the window seat and there was an empty seat between me and a woman who I guesstimate was in her 50's.
She was sporting a sun burned epidermis that had a painful look to it. She was bejeweled with bracelets that jingled and jangled when she sat down and tried to force a large bag under her seat that just wouldn't fit.
That's when it happened... the phone came out and she made her first call.
Keep in mind that on an airplane you are able to use your phone when on the ground. However, she decided to use her speakerphone mode at full volume, on top of screaming loud enough for 7 rows deep to hear. That's when "Henry" answered....
"Did you take off yet, 'Betty'?"
"No, you won't believe it, we have some sort of mechanical trouble and have to return to the gate! I can't breath and need to take this mask off and get a cigarette."
Henry, apparently unaware he was being heard as if he was sitting next to me had a suggestion for Betty.
"Just take your mask off..."
Betty retorted, "I can't do that, I will get in trouble."
Then Henry blurted out, "Just give 'em a knuckle sandwich!"
Meanwhile, Betty's sister apparently was in the aisle seat in the row in front of her and kept turning around to give her two cents.
Plus there were two other calls to female friends or family members.
Then we were all taken off the plane and had to wait several hours for another jet to pick us up. Once back on board it happened again only this time with a twist.
Betty’s sister plopped down in the middle seat next to me and said. “I’m goin’ to sit next to my sister, okay, Toots?”
What could I say?
In a split second, there goes my buffer zone. I put my ear pods in to drown out the noise and fake like I was listening to music as I closed my eyes praying to fall asleep.
Since I was in the window seat at least I controlled the shade. I had it down to keep the sun out and try to catch some Z’s to pass the time.
Then with 20 minutes left in the flight I opened up the shade and heard…
"Look at them 'clauds'!" Betty yelled out.
All the way into the airport I got a play-by-play right up to and including the landing.
The minute we touched down that’s when Betty pulled out the phone again and with the speaker on full blast announced… “The Eagle has landed… I need a drink!”
I actually agreed with her on that point.
Please don’t be Betty on board a plane, train or any public place. I’m afraid Betty won’t get the message anyway.
Happy National Cell Phone Courtesy Month! Good luck with that.