8 important etiquette rules for the chronic cell phone user

Busted! It just isn’t fair! What is the problem with me being on my phone at work? I like to get paid to be on my phone, handling my affairs. It isn’t like I am the only person on the planet who does this. Right? Fess up… you have been doing it as well!

Since this is becoming the new norm, I figured that it might be time for a little lesson from a real “pro” about cell phone etiquette.

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Here goes…eight rules you should memorize…

• Use the landline at work for your personal calls and just pretend it is a patient youare talking to. (Why should you drain your battery when they have phones thatprovide a good cover?)

• Don’t look down! The secret is to not make people suspicious. Learn to text with thephone in your smock/pocket or go into the bathroom to do so.

• Do not go on Facebook and make postings at work. You can read them, but don’t“like” or “comment” on them. This is a surefire way to get busted. Remember, socialmedia memorializes every post with a time stamp. (Why make your own paper trail to getting fired?) Be smart…

• Don’t tweet about a patient while they are in visual proximity. Wait until they leave the office and then you can tweet what you really think about them. 

• Get the patient in your selfie so that your friends know you are actually at work and not at the mall.

• Don’t have Nicki Minaj’s “Anaconda” song for your ringer. That one could get you into some serious trouble. (A little too sexual if you know what I mean!)

• Establish a strong relationship with Siri so that she can text for you. (You may have to teach her to hear you when you are whispering or clicking on your computer.)

• And finally, get aphone case that looks like a pair of denturesor a dental mold. (This will really fool everyone!)

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Being sneaky with your cell phone use is a challenge. We all think that whomever is texting, tweeting, snapchatting or emailing us is more important than the patients we are working with. You need to learn to develop these etiquette lessons and incorporate them into your daily work life. If you do… I guarantee, you will not be “at that job” much longer.

If you have colleagues who are cell phone addicts, share this article with them. If you do ordon’t agree with my advice on this issue, email me at diana2@discussdirectives.com. I would love to hear your opinion.