Cell Phone Courtesy…and other oxymorons

Did you know that July is National Cell Phone Courtesy Month? No? Me neither. However, I thought we could celebrate by taking a little thing I like to call, “Liz’s Cell Phone Etiquette Quiz” inspired by my own wireless offenses as well as those of friends, co-workers, and random strangers around me. Ready?

 

1.  When you are in the check out line at the grocery store and your phone rings, you:

a.  Press “ignore” or “quiet” and return the call once you leave the store.                         b.  Answer the call and talk loudly about the abnormal results of your most recent gynecological exam.                                                                                                                       c.  Pop in your Bluetooth, answer the call, and talk loudly about the abnormal results of your most recent gynecological exam while simultaneously unloading your groceries on the counter.

2.  When you are on a first date and you receive a phone call, you: 

a.  Answer the call and tell your friends you will meet up with them as soon as you get this date “over with.”                                                                                                                       b.  Apologize sincerely to your date and immediately silence your phone.                         c.  Ask your date if he/she minds if you take the call, and then step outside and proceed to talk to an ex on the phone for 23 minutes while your date sits inside, alone.

3.  Texting while driving is only OK:

a.  When it is really important and your message is under 120 characters.                         b.  Never. However e-mailing, tweeting, or updating your Facebook status while driving is fine.                                                                                                                                   c.  Never. You already drive like crap and don’t need any other distractions.

4.   When you are in a business meeting and your significant other calls, you:

a.  Place the call on speakerphone and proceed to get into a noisy argument that eventually leads to a tearful breakup after he/she admits to recently having sex with a bartender.                                                                                                                                         b.  Are not at all concerned because you already set your phone on silence or vibrate in anticipation of the meeting.                                                                                                       c.  Let the call go to voicemail, apologize to your co-worker, and then spend the next 14 minutes texting back and forth with him/her while pretending to listen to said co-worker until he/she finally gets up and leaves your office. Unnoticed by you.

Answer Key: (Seriously?)