‘I am really upset! Why don't you just listen to what I am saying? I bought these glasses and they make me look ugly! Why can't you just understand that I feel upset? I am so angry!’

It's 7am. This is the last thing all the bleary-eyed passengers want to hear on their morning tram ride to work. Sound familiar? I thought so.

Most of us have been subject to ill mannered mobile phone users and no matter how many ‘mobile courtesy’ signs there are, and despite all the ‘shhhhhing’ and angry looks, some people just don't get it. There is indeed a correct manner for mobile phone use and it all comes down to common courtesy.

Mobile phone etiquette is no different from any other social grace. Lowering your ringtone and voice out of respect for those around you is the same as whispering in a cinema, standing to one side on an escalator, or holding the door open for people. Likewise, shouting into your phone or talking openly about personal matters is just as frustrating as people interrupting you in mid-speech, or bumping you without saying sorry.

If none of this makes sense, it might be worthwhile reading through the following mobile phone social dos and don’ts:

Let's start with the don'ts:

Don't yell down the phone in public places:

This is probably the most common offence, but also the most frustrating, especially in the wee hours of the morning on public transport before work. Fellow commuters would be extremely grateful if we could just remember that mobile phones have in-built  microphones for which we can adjust the volume. So there is no need to shout!

Don't discuss personal or inappropriate matters in public:

There is nothing more embarrassing than having to hear people blubbering into mobile phones about their recent break-up, yelling at the phone because they are fighting with their partner and most of all touting the number of people they scored with at last night's party.

Don't text or answer a call in mid-conversation:

We have all done it. Texting or answering a call while someone is trying to have a conversation with you is the epitome of rudeness. You may as well tell them you can't be bothered listening to them because your phone is much more important.

Don't use ridiculously loud ringtones:

Nobody likes it when you are trying to read a book or converse with a friend and the person next to you is playing around with noisy ringtones. It's just plain annoying and the best way to avoid this is to turn the phone down!

Don't disturb people at theatres, concerts, or at the cinema:

Mobile phone users should respect the arts! Don't spoil a performance for others by letting your mobile disrupt the spectacle. Put your mobile on vibrate, silent, or just switch it off.

Don't text people about important information or events:

Let's face it, you can't cram many words into a text message and it is a lazier means of communication. So why would anybody send critical information in an SMS, especially when people can't get the ‘full’ story and might not even bother to read it straight away?

Don't text while you should concentrate on driving:

This is a no-brainer! It's illegal and dangerous, so just don't do it.

Don't talk on a mobile phone in the bathroom:

Yuck! Think about what the poor person on the other end can hear.

Don't send rude, offensive, or embarrassing messages or pictures:
 
This can be extremely embarrassing for both the sender and receiver. After a few drinks it is so easy to lose your faculties and send that angry message to your ex, or a declaration of love to the person you like. Unfortunately, this normally ends in disaster.

Now that you have a good idea about bad mobile etiquette, please read through the following ‘dos’ to help improve your mobile phone manners:

Turn your phone volume down or off in public:

There is a time and a place for mobile phones. Whether you are in public or private places, such as meetings, movies, trains, buses, trams and especially FUNERALS, set your ringtone to an appropriate volume, or just switch the phone off.

Speak Quietly:

There is no need to scream! If there is too much noise just turn up your phone's in-built microphone, but keep your voice to a minimum so you are not revealing anything embarrassing or private to your neighbours.

Keep conversations general:

When in public, think: Does the person next to me really want to hear what I am about to say? If the answer is no, then make the call later in private and spare a thought for the poor listeners around you.

Ignore your phone whilst conversing:

Give people your full attention whilst conversing. If your phone rings in the middle of a conversation, turn it off, put it on vibrate, let it ring out, or wait until the conversation ends before you send a message. If it's really important, politely excuse yourself and make the call or message as quickly as possible.
 
Avoid the text!

This applies to a number of people: Drunken people should stick to the golden rule of no texting while drinking. Drivers don't be reckless, put the phone away, and for those who have something important to say, just call them directly!

It's not hard to stop and think before you text or call so there’s no excuse for bad manners. Good mobile phone manner requires just a little reserve and consideration for those around you when you use you mobile phone.