Top 10 Bad Cellphone Habits   |  May 14, 2008  

By Peter Wolchak


10 things not to do. Ever


Sick of annoying cellphone users, voice-to-text technology vendor SpinVox has compiled a list of remedies for 10 irritating cellphone habits.

1 The Offense: Loud Speakers, people who talk loudly and share their conversation with everyone.

The Remedy: If you can’t talk quietly, wait until you’re in a more appropriate location.

2 The Offense: Taste Blasters, those who shout their musical preferences through ringtones.

The Remedy: Reduce the volume of your ringer.

3 The Offense: Chow Chatterers, who use cellphones at the dinner table.

The Remedy: Leave the table if you must take the call.

4 The Offense: Spinal Tappers, who have their speaker volumes turned “up to eleven” or use speakerphones in public.

The Remedy: Lower the volume and only use the speakerphone at home or in your office.

5 The Offense: Text Maniacs, people who text during conversations, meetings, meals, etc.

The Remedy: If you can’t wait, politely excuse yourself.

6 The Offense: Checkout Blockers, who keep others waiting in line when they should be paying and collecting their things.

The Remedy: Put the cellphone away or let others skip ahead in line.

7 The Offense: Ring Cyclists, who let phones ring and ring, rather than answer or silence them.

The Remedy: Keep the mobile in a convenient place where you can answer it quickly.

8 The Offense: Free Samplers, those who select ringtones in public, loudly.

The Remedy: No one cares about your ringtone, so do this in private.

9 The Offense: Walk ‘n’ Strollers, people who bump into you while texting or hunting through a contacts list.

The Remedy: Stop or step to the side.

10 The Offense: Can Conversationalists, busy people who take calls in public bathroom stalls. That’s not why they built restrooms.

The Remedy: Just don’t do this.