Cell Phone Etiquette

I'm not the best at always answering my cell phone, but I do really try hard to answer my phone calls when people call.  Of course, there is the occasion when I just can't.  I understand that we are all busier, running faster and longer, etc., But, would it really kill anyone to at least within a week acknowledge that you received a phone call?

I found this article titled "12 Unwritten Rules of Cell Phone Etiquette" and I was surprised to find out that there is such a thing.  The article discusses everything from screening your calls to talking in public and more.

Item #11 caught my eye, because with the age of technology comes long drawn out processes when calling someone.  It states "If I reach your voicemail, don't you think I already know you can't take my call right now and want me to leave my name, number, and a brief message? Do you need to waste my time telling me that? The whole process of leaving a message to begin with is too long. The last thing I want when I finally reach your personal greeting is a lengthy description of what you want me to do. We've been using cell phones long enough to know the drill. Just as you want my message to be brief, so too do I want you to keep your personal greeting short."

This can also go for those automated phone systems that the majority of companies incorporate because they don't see the need to pay anyone minimum wage to sit and answer the phone for them.  Please don't get me started on the hilarious phone systems that take how many prompts to get through before I finally get the person's voicemail.  I think I should leave a lengthy message just because of how long it took me to actually get through to your extension.

Well, off to call my landlord again to see if they can fix a broken light fixture.  Hey, maybe my daughter will have light in her room by next year when we have to move again!

Theatre Etiquette for Tall People

My family and I went to the Coleman Theatre tonight to see "Theatre of Illusion!" by Kevin Spenser & Co., 2009, who has been recognized as Int'l Entertainer of the Year.  The show was awesome and filled with wonderfully performed magic tricks.  We showed up at 7:00 a.m. and waited with anticipation to find our seats and get ready for the show.


We had seats located exactly in the center of the theatre, which turned out to be no such hot seats after all.  As we sat there waiting a couple came and sat in front of us.  Well, the husband was tall and I couldn't see the stage.  So, I asked my husband, who is also tall, if he would trade seats with me, so I could see the stage; he said he would and we proceeded to trade seats.  I swear, not 2 minutes later another couple came and sat next to the first couple and I kid you not; the husband was even taller and sat right in front of me.


I was really bummed as, again, I couldn't see the stage without craning my next to the right almost in front of my teenage daughter.  To make matters worse, the guy kept leaning over to his right to talk to his petite wife, which really blocked my view.


This is my point; if you are tall and going to go to a show like this you should be expected to follow some basic etiquette:


1.  Tall people should only buy seats located in the back of the theatre, so short people are guaranteed to be able to see what they have paid for.
2.  If you need to talk to the person you brought with you; go outside or just be quiet until the show is over and you have left the building.


My feeling is this; if I go to the Coleman again for another show, I will buy my tickets early, so I am guaranteed a seat in the front row, therefore being able to actually watch the show, without hurting myself, that I paid to see.  Ugh!

We really did enjoy the show and Kevin and his wife were amazing.  If you haven't seen the show, you should look to see if they are going to be in your town soon.