At U.S. Cellular, we believe mobile devices operating on a high-quality 4G LTE with nationwide coverage can improve quality of life and simplify tasks like traveling, shopping and staying up to date on the latest news. When cellphone etiquette is kept top of mind, people can make sure that their device use enhances the time spent with family and friends, as opposed to taking away from it.
To help facilitate cellphone use that supports better connections, U.S. Cellular has developed a few easy tips for practicing good 'mobile manners' in order to not annoy others:
Respond in a timely manner. No one likes waiting too long for a response to a text, so it's best to glance at your text message inbox pretty regularly. In fact, 94 percent of smartphone users prefer a response within an hour, so it's considerate to respond to any text messages in a timely manner.
Put the phone away while walking. According to the U.S. Cellular survey, 57 percent of smartphone users are annoyed by people who focus on their phone rather than what is in front of them. Considering that 23 percent of survey respondents admit they have personally walked into someone or something while they were on their phone, it may be a good idea to put the phone away and focus on where you are going.
Enjoy the company in front of you. As annoying as it can be to see someone glued to their phone when they are on the move, 57 percent are also annoyed when people seem focused on checking their phone when they are out and about with company. Forty-four percent admit to checking their own phones to avoid conversation.While in a social setting, it is good practice to put away all phones and enjoy time with friends and family, particularly in restaurants where 28 percent of people think that others have the worst cellphone etiquette.
While these suggested tips can help enhance mobile etiquette, don't forget to also be mindful of other behaviors that cause frustration, such as texting late at night, leaving a voice mail instead of texting, calling in response to a text or texting in response to a voice mail, and even using abbreviations and emoticons.
