Yes, cell users, we hear you

Yes, cell phone users, we can hear you now.

Yakking in a crowded elevator or a public restroom, a jingle in a quiet concert hall or restaurant. Those annoyances are becoming commonplace as cell phone use increases, and a recent survey suggests users need to be more aware of how they are being portrayed in public.

To recognize National Cell Phone Courtesy Month, Sprint announced the results of the 2004 Sprint Wireless Courtesy Report, a nationwide survey of wireless etiquette.

Findings reveal that an overwhelming majority of Americans say people are "less courteous" today when using a wireless phone than they were five years ago, but no one sees themselves as "discourteous."

Modern-day etiquette expert Jacqueline Whitmore founded the Protocol School of Palm Beach and teaches various cell phone and corporate etiquette standards. She said people have not yet become accustomed to using cell phones and are not aware of the responsibilities attached.

"Poor wireless etiquette can have a negative impact on how your friends and co-workers view your relationship with them," Whitmore said. She said most cell phone users have no idea they are disruptive.

Cell phone etiquette requires such manners as silencing ringers in public places, allowing voice mail to pick up calls while busy and speaking in a regular conversational tone.

Liz Aviles, sales representative at a local Sprint store, said she doesn't like to miss any phone calls because it might be her family with an emergency or someone at work who needs to reach her. But she says she tries to respect those around her and silences her phone ringer when she thinks it is appropriate, specifically when she is at the movies, in church or in a meeting.

"I don't set it to vibrate, because that still makes some noise," Aviles said. "I completely silence the phone."

Aviles said places cell phones are expected to be silenced include restaurants, classrooms, hospitals and libraries.

However, even with the average one ring most people hear during a movie, the report says, Americans are pretty good about turning their phones off when in places of a professional, educational or cultural nature — only 2 percent of respondents say they keep their cell phone ringers on in a house of worship.

Several buildings post notices asking patrons to silence their phones. Whitmore believes the general public should already know when they shouldn't add their noise.