Mind Your High Tech Manners!

I love high technology but come on people---where are your manners?

There is absolutely no doubt that email has increased productivity in offices worldwide, but it's important to remember that even though it's a quick and easy form of communication, the messages you send should still be well thought out and professional.

I can understand teaching Tweens to Mind their Manners regarding their cell phones and texting but YOU adults out there should know better!

I was out three times this week and each time whether it was a Happy Hour or meeting a friend for lunch. The damn texting begins. Did you ever notice while sitting at a bar or a restaurant the first thing a person does is put their cell phone on the bar or the table in front of them?

Listen up------Texting while talking to someone is considered rude. Gosh, while having a face-to-face conversation with another individual, it is best to wait to use a cell phone until the conversation has ended. It is also better to wait to answer a ringing cell phone while talking, unless the person knows an important call is coming.

When the Texting feature first came out on cell phones, I personally had “texting” blocked from my cell phone because I was being charged for each text message that came in whether I read it or not. At the time, I didn’t even know how to use this feature and I still care not too.

Isn’t it plain common sense that when you are having a face-to-face communication, it should prevail over the use of texting?

I believe that Texting is a great tool when used properly and in the right scenario. Texting while driving should be outlawed! It is disgusting and causes so many accidents. Yeah, I know that its abbreviated spelling is all the rage, it's easy to let “text-talk” spill over into your emails. Unless you're a Tween……try to resist the temptation to abbreviate. It is so juvenile to hack up the English language. An educated individual should know better.

Repeat after me: read and reread your email before you hit send. Does it make sense? Does it accurately convey your message? Is it grammatically correct? Put yourself in the recipient's shoes. How will they interpret it? It's well worth your time to make sure your email gets your message across especially in the office.

Once you've read and reread your email, double check the recipient's address. Not only will this save time, but it could also save you some embarrassment. Once it's sent, it's sent. And, try to stay away from the "Reply All" button! We all know why. We have all learned from our mistakes regarding email Etiquette! Now, someone needs to post “Texting” Etiquette for Tweens and Adults!

Give the cell phone a rest!

I have a dear friend that just told me her divorced daughter is now dating again. She claims she met this wonderful, handsome, wealthy man but there is one problem. He never calls her on the phone. He only sends text messages! Dah! I don’t consider that “Romantic” do you? Her daughter brought this topic to his attention and his reply was that is how he communicates in work and pleasure! She dumped this guy! Wonder why?

Are you one of those cell phone abusers??? Do you text when in company of others?

What did we all do before cell phones and texting? One ringy dingy....two ringy dingy!