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Americans Uncomfortable Overhearing Wireless Conversations in Public
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. -- The overwhelming majority of Americans say people are less courteous today when using a wireless phone, but everyone looks the other way when it comes to pointing the finger of blame, according to the 2004 Sprint Wireless Courtesy Report released today.Nearly three out of four (73%) U.S. adults surveyed say people are less courteous in general today than five years ago, and 80% feel people are less courteous when using a wireless phone today than five years ago. However, 97% classify themselves as "very courteous" or "somewhat courteous" in their use of a wireless phone, with the largest percentage of wireless-phone users rating themselves as "very courteous" (64%) coming from the West region. Jacqueline Whitmore, founder and director of The Protocol School of Palm Beach, does not see the findings as doom and gloom for manners in the United States; rather she sees it as a positive sign given the quick adoption of wireless phones into everyday life. "Wireless technology is booming so quickly and wireless phones have become so popular, the rules on wireless etiquette are still evolving," said Whitmore. "I don't think we have to worry about people being rude intentionally; it's just that many are not yet accustomed to the new 'responsibilities' that come with using this great, convenient communications tool."For example, 62% of those surveyed say they have felt uncomfortable overhearing someone discuss private business or personal issues on a wireless phone in public, but only 40% admit they do this themselves, Whitmore says. Almost all, or 98%, of Americans say they move away from others when talking on a wireless phone in public. Of those on the move, 72% go outside or to another room.The vast majority (86%) say they "never" or "rarely" speak on wireless phones while conducting an entire public transaction with someone else such as a sales clerk or bank teller.Other findings on wireless-phone usage in public include:Most Americans turn their phone off when in public places of a professional, educational or cultural nature (i.e. business meetings, classrooms, hospitals, houses of worship or libraries).Only 2% of respondents say they keep their phone ringer on when in a house of worship.Most Americans keep their phone on when in public places of a more social nature (i.e. party/family celebration, sporting venue, public transit or retail environment).77 % of respondents have overheard a wireless-phone conversation while in a public restroom.While dining out, 34% place their wireless phone on vibrate, 18% turn the phone off, 11% lower the ring volume and 9% place the phone on silent.But 28% make no changes to their phone when in a restaurant.93% think it's rude to take or make a wireless call during a meeting, and 80% think the same of reading or sending text messages or emails from a wireless phone while in a meeting.For those expecting a wireless call during a business or personal conversation, Whitmore suggests announcing the expected call in advance and asking to be excused from the room to take the call. "Text messaging and wireless emails are great ways to get or send critical information from a third party without disrupting a meeting," adds Whitmore. "However, discretion is always the better part of valor, so use these features in isolated situations only. If your phone becomes more interesting to you than the meeting, you're being rude."When asked how they felt when a friend or colleague puts a face-to-face conversation on hold to take a wireless call, the reaction among the majority of respondents was negative. More than half (54%) of Americans tend to feel "impatient" or "unimportant" when a friend sidelines a conversation to take a wireless call. Again, more than half (53%) report feeling "impatient" or "angry" when a coworker stops a conversation because of an incoming wireless call."Clearly, poor wireless etiquette can have a negative impact on how your friends or coworkers view your relationship with them," says Whitmore. "People feel disrespected or ignored and perhaps think you don't value them or their time if you take a call while speaking with them."The survey also revealed patterns in the volume level of wireless users. Almost nine out of 10 Americans (88%) think people unnecessarily raise their voices when speaking on a wireless phone; however, only 15% personally have been told they talk too loud on theirs.The majority of those using walkie-talkie capabilities available on some wireless phones seem to also practice good manners, the survey found. In fact, 76% say the disable the walkie-talkie speaker on their phone "all the time" or "sometimes" when in public.Sprint is a global integrated communications provider serving more than 26 million customers in over 100 countries. Sprint has approximately 65,000 employees worldwide and reported over $26 billion in annual revenues in 2003.Take the Sprint Wireless Courtesy Test: www.sprint.com/etiquette "