Cell Phone Users Disconnecting Courtesy

Compiled ByTonya Vinas Certainly cell phone use in general has increased in the past three years. The level of courtesy among those making those calls has dwindled, however, surveyed executives say. Accountemps, a staffing company for financial services based in Menlo Park, Calif., collected responses from 150 executives at 1,000 large U.S. companies. The conclusion: 63% of respondents say cell phone users are less polite than they were three years ago. Of those surveyed, 64% say conducting business via cell phone while driving is OK, and 58% say taking calls on public transportation is acceptable. But accepting calls during meetings should be a no-no (94%) as well as restaurants (91%). Other off-limits phone settings are sporting events (72%), the golf course (64%) and malls and supermarkets (58%). Accountemps recommends that when using a phone, speak in a low voice, keep the conversation brief, talk in a private place for important calls and set the phone to low-ring or vibrate mode if in a meeting. Also, limit cell phone work-related calls. Can't most of them wait until you return to the office?