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| 5/23/2008 12:12:00 PM | Email this article • Print this article |
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| The American Academy of Music and Dance hosts a course on social etiquette which includes instruction on usage of cell phone and other handheld devices. |
| | Top 5 tips for cell phone etiquette: | 1. No calls at the dinner table
2. Set your phone on "silent" at theatres, museums and church
3. Don't talk loudly - it can disturb others
4. Out with friends or
family? Let it roll to voicemail
5. Notify others beforehand when expecting an urgent call
© 2008 American Academy of Music and Dance
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'Call me later...'
Group puts modern spin on etiquette classes
By BRYNNE HARDER
Special to the Leader
We have all experienced the situation of sitting in a restaurant forced to hear only one side of another person's cell phone conversation. We have all wondered whether a person we were talking to was listening to us or the music transported through the headphones still tucked into their ears. Maybe, we have even been the person committing this modern-day social offense. Maybe it was a child who acted in this same manner.
Rules for the proper etiquette to use with personal technology isn't new - it's as old as the device itself. With frequently updated features and greater availability at a younger age, society must modify these guidelines.
The American Academy of Music and Dance hosts cotillion ballroom classes, which includes correct cell phone, iPod and handheld game usage in their etiquette lessons. For the first time, AAMD will be hosting weeklong cotillion summer camps in Round Rock, at Grace Presbyterian Church.
Even though the classes are for children in fifth through eighth grades, the lessons affect everyone.
"Demonstrating respect for the other person and treating each other properly is what this is really about," said Dean Kline, director of AAMD.
Cell phones, as the loudest device and the most widespread, are usually the most obvious. Kline teaches the children when not to answer a phone and when to put a phone on mute, such as when having family time. In a show of increased tolerance for these devices, they also teach the occasions when it is appropriate to take the call and the correct way to do so.
"The rule of thumb for not answering your cell phone is: if it's going to create an awkward situation; if it's going to be disruptive; if it's going to be rude," he said.
Generally being aware of your surroundings will prevent someone from being inconsiderate. For instance, Kline said, it's important not to become withdrawn into your music world. If there is a conversation taking place then you need to be engaged in that conversation.
Sometimes, it's a silent action that is the most noticeable: don't set a cell phone on the dinner table, don't just turn off an iPod or MP3 player - make sure you take off the headphones.
"You can really make sure that the person knows you are giving your full respect, your full attention," said Kline. "It's important to look someone in the eye, shake their hand."
Registration for the summer cotillion camps is ongoing at 751-2263 and aamdonline.com .
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