My clients tell me over and over how technology such as cellphones, Smartphones, and Blackberries seem to have taken on a life of their own. You may know people that are so glued to their technology it has you wondering if they have grown new appendages! I remember a time when there were no cell phones. No beepers. When such technology only resided in Star Trek episodes.

 

One of the most common etiquette mistakes I see is people trying to hold a face-to-face conversation while talking on a cell phone or texting. This shows a lack of respect for others and is a form of a "social snub," equivalent to having someone you are talking with turn away from you and start a conversation with someone else, ignoring you.

 

This actually happened to me at a recent women's business networking meeting. I was touring the vendor booths prior to the start of the event and stopped by one with facial/body products and cosmetics - which I love. The consultant was putting lotion on my hand and describing the product to me when her cell phone rang. She abruptly stopped talking mid-sentence, turned sharply, grabbed her cell phone, and hastily motioned for the other consultant to come over as she walked off and took the call. No "excuse me this is urgent," and no apology afterwards. The other consultant had seen this exchange and was noticeably embarrassed by the other woman's behavior. Needless to say, I will never consider doing business with this consultant in the future.