Cell Phone Courtesy around Our Gainesville Apartments & Beyond

About 1 billion people worldwide now use a cell phone. That’s almost one in six! With all those people walking around with a cell phone, there is a fine line between chatting on a friendly call and annoying everyone else around you.

Whenever you are on your mobile phone, take a minute to consider if you are practicing common cell phone courtesy. Whether at the movies, in a business meeting, or walking around our Gainesville apartment community, try to keep cell phone etiquette in mind.

• Be 100 percent there, wherever you are. Let your company know they take precedence over incoming calls and texts.
• If you need to take your call, excuse yourself and apologize.
• Use your regular conversation volume.
• Keep your ringtone professional, especially around colleagues.
• If possible, use a low volume on your ringtone or vibration mode.
• Don’t use your cell phone while driving, even if you are in a parking lot.
• Be aware of your surroundings and keep your conversations private.
• Follow the rules and don’t use cell phones in public places that ask you to turn off your phone, like hospitals, airplanes, and movie theaters.
• Don’t talk on your cell phone in a public restroom. Other people in the restroom would like some privacy.
• If you are on your patio or walking around our community, please keep your voice down when you’re on your cell phone. Shouting and loud laughing can be very disturbing to your neighbors.
• Be a good Samaritan and use your cell phone to report crimes and life-threatening emergencies.

Now that you have been enlightened, think more about being a polite talker in public. Especially make sure to not use your cell phone for talking or texting while driving. Also think of your neighbors living in Gainesville apartments nearby, whether you are talking on your phone outside on the property or inside your apartment.