Just called a friend with a severed tendon to see how his visit to the doctor went and he was still in the exam room. He said he had to get off the phone because there was a sign saying "no cell phones in exam room." I'm wondering why the sign is there. He was alone at the time, waiting for the doctor to return. Is the rule due to an equipment issue, or is it because of doctors being annoyed by rude patients talking on cell phones while the doctor is examining them, or something else?
posted by mediareport on May 31, 2013 - 24 answers

Help me write a funny, effective, non-shaming sign asking people to please not talk on their cellphones in the office restroom. [more inside]
posted by elizeh on Sep 27, 2012 - 27 answers

Please explain to me as though I have lived under a rock: What are the modern norms among urban folk in the US regarding mobile telephones? SMS? Internet-capable phones and "apps"? When is it appropriate to take a call? To place a call? What do people do with their telephones that really pisses you off? When, if ever, has someone made your life easier by appropriate use of a telephone? [more inside]
posted by d. z. wang on Jun 8, 2012 - 21 answers

When I'm out with my friend and his cell phone rings which he doesn't want to answer, he sits there (with the phone within easy reach) and lets it ring until the caller gets voice mail (8 or 9 times, distracting and annoying to me), rather than mute the ring. Isn't proper "cell phone etiquette" when you're not going to answer your phone to at least mute the ring so not everybody around has to hear your phone ring a bunch of times?
posted by sfla_law on Aug 20, 2011 - 24 answers

Please help me to politely tell people that I am not available 24/7 by phone. [more inside]
posted by triggerfinger on Dec 22, 2010 - 62 answers

How do children learn phone etiquette in a world with no landlines? [more inside]
posted by Eyebrows McGee on Apr 26, 2010 - 22 answers

Help me choose the wording for a t-shirt that pointedly calls people out on their terrible cell phone etiquette. [more inside]
posted by Roach on Jun 9, 2009 - 42 answers

ModernDayEtiquetteFilter: What is the general consensus on returning calls (received on one's mobile phone) based on a missed call log vs. leaving a message? [more inside]
posted by uaudio on Aug 30, 2007 - 56 answers