Late last week, the technology company Intel released a survey about Americans’ mobile use behaviors. It’s not pretty folks.  We’re clearly minding our mobile devices more than our manners, and we’re driving others crazy by doing so.

 

According to Intel, 91% of poll respondents say they have seen people misuse technology, and 75% think that mobile manners have declined in the past year. Respondents noted the following among the most annoying practices they regularly encounter:

The vast majority of respondents report becoming angry when they encounter these behaviors, with 75% responding that the lack of mobile manners has created a new form of “public rage.” (So much for business etiquette.) The scariest stats of all? Well, there are two: Nearly 24% said they had seen someone use a laptop while driving (you’ve got to be kidding me!), and one in five respondents said they check their mobile device before they get out of bed.

 

With the exception of those times in which we expect an “emergency” phone call or message, surely we can pledge to periodically disconnect. We know that people who talk or text on a smart phone while operating a vehicle might as well be driving drunk. They are, plain and simple, driving impaired. It’s really no safer to walk while texting or chatting. Google “pedestrian texting fountain” and you’ll find loads of postings about some surveillance video that captured a texting pedestrian falling into a fountain. The scene led some state legislators to propose banning the use of iPads, cell phones and other mobile devices on public sidewalks.

 

Good manners begin with thinking of the impact we have on others. If you are starting work, before you pull out your smart phone to talk or text, take a quick look around and see if your behavior will impact others. If you can wait to text or talk in private, please do.