Comments on: Is it rude to check your BlackBerry in public?

By: Silver Fang

Silver Fang — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 23:39:37 +0000

If you’re out at McD’s with friends who either aren’t offended, or who check their own phones, go ahead and look at yours. If you’re in a more intimate place, or with someone who would be offended, keep it put away and on vibrate.

By: Jules

Jules — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 22:27:01 +0000

Hi Marc,

I do know how it is to have a time sensitive project and need to recieve an email or text. Is there a way you can assign a certain ring or tone to an important email or text so that you only respond to that one? I think having there should be off limit times for phones and blackberries. A meal, a special occasion, etc. I was with several out of town friends the other evening and we had not seen each other in a while. We were to be hanging out and enjoying each others company. All three of them (not me) got on their blackberrys at the same time. It made me feel terrible as though they would prefer to spend time with the people they were texting/emailing. I talked to one of my friends about it and she said that it was a “generational thing”. She is in her thirties, so no, it was a “rude thing” is what I explained to her.

By: JimMcc524

JimMcc524 — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 16:25:22 +0000

It's not rude if you aren't bothering anyone or disturbing their space. If you're looking at your Blackberry and even responding, and your ringer isn't even on - then they can only be disturbed if they are staring at you - so they are the ones being offensive. Most people who complain about this sort of thing don't have a Blackberry and have no idea what the big deal is. They are invaluable.

What's next for these people? Next thing you know they'll be trying to stop us from typing on then while we're driving. Sheesh.

By: Brigid

Brigid — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 15:52:08 +0000

I think the Blackberry has become such a common part of society today that a table of business people shouldn't be offended by a couple of glances at one. Yes it is rude to be glued to your Blackberry at all times but if you can keep up with the conversation, maintain eye contact and all other social graces while pressing one button on your Blackberry every so often to check for an email then you're probably fine. I think that particularly in the industries the lunch dates were in Blackberry use should be *more* than understood.

By: John Brown

John Brown — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 14:27:48 +0000

To start, I have had a blackberry for a number of years now and made a concious decision to not get the "addiction". I only carry mine when I am going to be away from my office for an extended period of time or travelling on business. Even while out with others I will find an appropriate private moment to check mine. Call me old school but I do not appreciate only getting the half attention of others when face to face and would expect that I exhibit the same respect. It brings back memories of working in Argentina for a few years. The business culture there seemed to dictate that if an office phone rang while in a discussion then the discussion should be lower pioritized and the recieving of the call take priority. Imagine the shocked look on their faces when I would say "Don't answer that call, let it go to voice mail" I soon realized that I was no further ahead. The person would be so rattled by the fear that they had missed some important message they only half contributed to the conversation anyways.

My point being on this is that we are on a slippery slope, the young are so attached to their electronic devices these days that real face to face events seem to have become secondary communication forums. Where will this lead us in the future? Will we all only communicate remotely? Certainly that scenario would contribute to a more balanced use of energy, but at what cost to relationship building and friendship? Let alone personal interchange? Just another mystery for these changing times.

By: Jamie

Jamie — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 14:04:07 +0000

How about Narcissistic Personality Disorder?

By: Jamie

Jamie — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 13:58:44 +0000

Sounds like substance abuse.

By: mad as hell, and not going to take it anymore

mad as hell, and not going to take it anymore — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 13:46:35 +0000

Mobile phones and text messaging are not too far removed from any other social disease in today's society. Both are widespread, nobody wants to admit to being part of the problem and although one makes the individual physically ill, the other makes everyone else around them annoyed and disgusted with their inability to demonstrate courtesy to others.
This problem is rampant among [but not limited to] younger people today, who cannot comprehend the demands by others for them to turn it off or take it outside when they engage in calls or text messaging. This is especially widespread at the cinema. It is selfish for someone to have a bright light-emitting, loud noise generating device anywhere around other people, especially in a place like the theatre, a lecture, or the cinema. Talking LOUDLY on public transit is another sign of just how rude people have become and it is a direct result of the use of these devices.
I was at the cinema a few weeks ago and there was a man seated a few seats away from me actually trying to read a newspaper by the light of his mobile phone- during the picture. When asked to stop this behaviour, he muttered a disgusting comment, and continued reading as though I had some nerve to actually want to watch the film... after-all, he was trying to read his newspaper! Why he was even there I do not know.
I was unable to enjoy another film on a different night when a young couple were repeatedly making calls and text messaging- throughoutthe entire film- [why were they even there?] ...despite my repeated requests- that later became strong demands- to turn it off or leave. Thier reaction was one of utter dumbfoundedness- they had no concept of courtesy to the people around them. this problem in the cinema happens all the time, it makes me not want to go at all. Thankfully, in LA there is a cinema that has strong rules in place to enforce their rules so I can at last enjoy a film now :)
These devices, along with email and the geometrically expanding social networking sites online have together contributed to a tremendous loss in real, progressive social behaviour that involves face to face communication, and courtesy towards others. if you do not understand what I mean, just take a look at how many people go online to make horrifically rude and slanderous comments towards others yet keep their name a secret, using instead an online psuedonym- it is entirely anonymous and therefore eliminates any form of accountability or retribution- this has been a rampant problem in the internet for years and years and will probably alweays be there, ensuring a further growth of rude behaviour.
Everyone MUST have their devices on at all times, and MUST respond immediately, no matter when or where they are -and just like smokers, [who don't care about their own health, so how can one expect them to care about the health of those around them?] -simply do not care if it annoys anyone else around them. Thier call or text message is far too important than anyone else.
There was a time when the only people who had mobile phones were doctors and police officers. Today, six year old children have them. Technology has advanced far faster than human beings' ability to evolve socially- it is inevitable that rudeness will result from the use of loud, bright noisy electronic toys. People must let everyone know their toy is special and the newest greatest thing, therefore they show it off in public. This is a psychological defect encouraged by mass advertising brainwashing us into believing that we will be better happier people with a higher social status if we only owned this 'thing'.
It is all a sign of a degeneration in social manners that has probably past the tipping point.
I too have a mobile phone, it is unfortunatelty necessary in my work but I am only too happy to turn the damn thing off, or turn off the ringer when I am in the company of others, whether I know them or not, and I refuse to partake in text messaging. That alone is possibly responsible for the rapidly growing iliteracy in our society. If you don't believe that, just listen in to young people how they engage one another in conversation.

I work in a high technology field and rely upon the latest greatest fastest most advanced computers and telecommunications in my career and am grateful for all of it... but that does not mean that we as human beings must be selfish and rude to those around us as we thoughtlessly go about our conversations or business publicly, in a manner that annoys and disgusts those around us. There are always alternatives to being rude.
There.
I got it off my chest. I feel so much better now :)

By: Alex

Alex — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 13:41:09 +0000

Im so glad no one in my house has a cellphone or Black Berry; its easier just to go without them. Really, it is. Id rather not be bothered by the world while Im out.

If essential to have one, respect people around you while using it. (minimal conversation, talk quietly, etc). Doesnt matter who you're around, be it friends, family, business partners, or even on the bus surrounded by strangers. Show common curtesy, please.

By: Arn

Arn — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 12:31:33 +0000

Whether or not you should answer a blackberry or any other smartphone in public really depends on the context.

If you are in a social engagement in a restaurant or coffee bar for example, and if you must answer the call, then immediately excuse yourself from the table and take your call out of ear shot. Nobody likes to be ignored because you cannot organize your time better, so if you insist on checking your emails or taking your calls, do it where nobody has to suffer through your tiresome distractions.

If you are in a business meeting with several other narcissitic, navel gazing, smartphone carrying busines troglodytes,then by all means read your emails and answer your calls at the meeting because after you are in a meeting with a bunch of boors who would not hesitate to be equally rude to you. Birds of a feather.

If you are alone on the floor of a public space, then use a handsfree device with your blackberry when you are responding to a call. You will then be able to walk around a public space apparently talking to yourself while all those near you can snicker and smirk because you appear to be a delusional idiot.

I hope I have clarified my position on the etiquette of blackberry use.