For Goodness Sake, Just Hang Up!

Have you ever felt like physically removing someone’s mobile phone and then doing the phone or its owner some physical harm? You’re not alone. Our rush to embrace new technology has unfortunately not been matched by a rush to embrace some solid, old-fashioned, good manners.

Australian telecommunications company, Telstra, has just released the finding of their Telstra State of the Nation Research, to reveal that mobile phones are being used inappropriately more often yet the majority of us aren’t prepared to let someone know when they’re out of line with their phone use.

The research uncovered more than just loud talkers. New technology which packs more and more into our hand held devices is opening up a range of new issues that we’re finding it hard to handle.

Telstra Consumer Executive Director, Ms Rebekah O’Flaherty, said the research showed that while traditional gripes such as talking loudly on public transport or using a mobile while driving still topped the list, smartphones were encouraging a new wave of behaviour.

“More than one third of the mobiles we sell are smartphones and Facebook use on mobiles has tripled in the past year, so it’s not surprising some of us aren’t sure if it’s acceptable to check-in friends on Facebook during lunch or show-off their latest apps over the dinner table.

“It’s clear modern technology with instant, one-click access to social networking and email had transformed the way Australians live, which is why we need a new set of etiquette rules to help turn around mobile misbehaviour,” she said.

Have you seen bad behaviour by mobile phone users? What kind of behaviour annoys you the most?

Telstra has classified various kinds of users and their habits.

The Peacock (34%). You’re constantly posting status updates, checking-in your friends and talking loudly on your mobile phone. Your behaviour is designed to make sure everyone around you knows you have a ‘fabulous’ life.

Mover and Shaker (29%). You’re always on the go and your mobile phone is your lifeline, connecting you to work and your social life. You regularly get caught-out answering your mobile phone in meetings or responding to SMS at the dinner table.

Stimulation Seeker (19%). You can’t sit still and need to be in the know, so you pass the time – whether you’re on the bus or while crossing the road – browsing Facebook, downloading the latest apps or checking out your phone’s features.

I see, I Do (18%). You tend to follow the crowd and exhibit poor mobile manners because everyone else does – for instance, you’ll start checking emails during a work meeting because those around you are doing it too.

What are you like at using your mobile phone? Do you still remember how to switch your phone off? Have you noticed that gatherings of family and friends have become cluttered with phones and other mobile gadgets?

I guess the thing that annoys me the most is when someone I’m with is more interested in spending time on the phone to someone who’s made a random catch-up call than the person who has bothered to meet with them face to face.

I’d love to read your comments about gripes you have with mobile phones.



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iPhones hit Australia

iphone.jpgThe iPhone was finally released in Australia yesterday.

As I made my way through our local shopping centre I noticed the long lines at the Telstra and the Optus shops. The shops had put up those retractable tape barriers that form those mazes that we all love so much at airports. Shoppers were corralled into dedicated iPhone shopping queues. People were determined to get their iPhone and they were prepared to kiss their day goodbye as they waited in line. They needed an iPhone.

Have you ever wondered how it is that things that weren’t even thought of not so long ago have become essential? The iPhone wasn’t even available in Australia a couple of days ago but yesterday it became something that thousands of people couldn’t live without. I only recently had to get a new phone because my old one broke. I got a reasonably basic one but it’s still got more fruit than I’ll ever really need. A mobile phone is a luxury anyway but all I really need is something to make and receive calls as well as sending the occasional text message.

Sure, we progress, and I certainly wouldn’t like to go back to days without electricity, running water and many of the others things we now take for granted, but I wonder if we get things a little out of proportion when it comes to what we consider as the basics of life. Are we confusing what is essential with things that are simply helpful or even luxuries?

Don’t get me wrong, there are certain toys that I’m happy to have. I listen to my iPod Mini everyday. I’ll admit that some people think it’s archaic, seeing as it’s one of the first 4 GB iPod Minis that was available. I think I bought mine only a short while before they stopped making them. I’ve got all kinds of bits and pieces that I don’t really ‘need’ but hopefully I’m keeping them in some kind of perspective. I don’t want to give up all the ‘stuff’ that living in Australia can offer, but on the other hand I don’t want to forget how fortunate I am to have access to so much wealth.

I know that by the simple fact that I’m now sitting and tapping away at this old computer with its staggering 1.2 GHz processor and 512 MB RAM, I have greater technology at my fingertips than the vast majority of the world’s population. In fact, knowing that I can walk a few steps from where I am right now, turn on a tap and pour a glass of drinkable water, puts me at a huge advantage over millions of people on this planet.

If you’re going to rush out and grab an iPhone, I hope you enjoy it and that it does what you need … er … want it to do. New technology is fascinating and I’m sure you’re going to get a lot of pleasure from your new purchase. I simply hope that you realise how incredibly fortunate you are to be able to spend more than what many other people in the world would earn in an entire year on your shiny new gadget.



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