THE abuse of wireless technology abounds.

The time has come to create some social order out of the cell phone use chaos. Unless we want to find ourselves outside, sneaking a cell phone call the way smokers are now required to sneak a cigarette, we need to mind our manners and use our cell phones responsibly. Cell phones are being banned, regulated, legislated, and even jammed in more and more places.

Ten of the ‘Commandments’ were originally published in Info World. As a public service, we are providing this revised and expanded edition, ‘according to Semaj’. This is by no means an exhaustive list simply because as the technology evolves new annoying behaviours will surely emerge.

The 16 cell phone commandments

In public spaces:

1. Thou shalt not subject defenceless listeners to your cell phone conversations. When people cannot escape the banality of your conversation – on a plane, on a bus, in a taxi, or at the dinner table – please, spare them.

2. Thou shalt hold thy conversation in a civil and pleasant tone. Certain types of conversations may require or inspire some tough talk or emotional tones. Reserve these conversations for more private settings. So do not fire employees, chastise employees, argue with a boss or fight with a spouse or teenager on your mobile phone in a public setting.

3. Thou shalt turn thy cell phone OFF during public performances. When the lights go out, the phones go off. This is applicable to plays, movies and ALL services in a church.

4. Thou shalt not dial while driving. New York has passed a law banning the use of cell phones without hands-free kits or earpieces in vehicles; other states are considering similar legislation. We are next as such legislation is in fact being considered.

5. Thou shalt not invade a stranger’s personal space. It can make them feel uncomfortable. You should try to speak in places 10-20 feet or more away from the closest person. Sensitivity to the needs and comforts of others is a sign of good character. Crowded rooms, bank lines and tight hallways are not good places to carry on long phone conversations.

6. If you need to send an important message while in a public area, thou shalt use text messaging. The young are good at this. The older heads need to learn.

7. Thou shalt not wear/use thy earpiece in the presence of thy friends. Ever had a conversation with someone and wasn’t sure if he was talking to you or with someone else on the phone? No one knows for sure if you’re here or there.

8. Thou shalt not speak louder on thy cell phone than thou would on any other phone. Cellular phones have incredibly sensitive microphones. Trust the technology. Your party can hear you. Remember that in a public space, the goal is to communicate without anybody else noticing.

9. Thou shalt not grow too attached to thy cell phone. For obvious reasons, a dependence on constant communication is not healthy.

10. Thou shalt not attempt to impress others with thy cell phone. A cell phone no longer impresses in the way it used to. Models change almost weekly. Buy as much phone as you actually need. The estimate is that 90 per cent of people cannot use 90 per cent of the features on their phone. Young men, if a girl is going to talk to you only because of your phone, what does that tell you?

11. Thou shalt not set thy ringer to play Chi-Chi Man or Beethoven’s Fifth or any other annoying melody every time thy phone rings. Is it not enough that phones go off every other second?

12. Thou shalt not wear more than two wireless devices on thy belt. This has not become a big problem yet but Batman-esque utility belts are sure to follow and is that a desirable look?

At work

13. Thou shalt be very considerate if you are allowed to keep your cell phone on at work. Put your phone on silent or vibrate. We do not need one more ringing phone disturbing the rest of the office. Limit calls to emergencies and to one minute or less. Remember, you are Not on your own time.

14. Thou shalt not conduct a cell phone conversation with one client in front of another. Remember, the person that you are with will usually take priority over a phone call. Having a conversation in their presence can be viewed as being rude and will cause the person to feel unimportant, and make you look bad.

For the student

15. Thou shalt turn off cell phones while in class. Who are you there to listen to? Enough said.

16. Thou shalt be conscious of the financial responsibilities associated with using your cell phone. Utilise your cell phone within your means to pay for your monthly usage. Your parents have enough to pay already. And if it is stolen, do not expect the school to take responsibility. That is a risk you assumed when you took it there.

Dr Semaj is a frequent facilitator for strategic planning retreats, cultural alignment and organisational restructuring. He conducts staff selection and development programmes for different business sectors across the Caribbean.