Attention blog readers – raise your hand if you are reading this blog on your cell phone. Yep – I thought so. A very large portion of you are reading this blog on your cell phone. Besides being used for the obvious phone calls and texting, cell phones have become the go to device for checking email, social networking and even surfing your favorite money saving website. (Wink, wink: Of course that is Pinching Your Pennies right?) With the increased use of cell phones comes an increase in the occurrence of cell phone use blunders. I’ve seen plenty of things happening with cell phones that are rude, wrong and even illegal. I’m sure you have too. It’s hard to go anywhere without seeing someone creating some sort of cell phone blunder. This is where we look to the month of July. Besides being a patriotic month, it is also National Cell Phone Etiquette Month.

Yes, you heard me right. There is actually a month where special attention should be paid to proper use of cell phones. National Cell Phone Etiquette Month is the perfect time to go over some of the ways to avoid common cell phone blunders. No one wants to be “that person” – the one who looks or sounds like a big jerk when on the cell phone. We all want to be just the opposite right? Here are a few helpful tips to help you out during National Cell Phone Etiquette Month.

Don’t text and drive
We have all heard this over and over again but National Cell Phone Etiquette Month seems like a great time to point it out again. Texting and driving is proven to be dangerous. But every time I go out I see adults and teens texting and driving. Just stop it. Stop it now.

Silence is golden
I’m sure you think that all of your calls and texts are important but the rest of us don’t think the same. When you are in public and in any kind of situation where extra noises are not wanted by everyone, silence your phone. Dinner, movies, classes, church, school – the list goes on and on. National Cell Phone Etiquette Month reminds us to use that mute button please.

Avoid yelling
So many people do the “cell yell” when they are talking on their cell phones. Today most cell conversations are clear so remember to speak in your normal voice.

Zip your lips
A big tip from National Cell Phone Etiquette Month is to avoid discussing personal, sensitive or private information when you are out and about and talking on your cell phone. Most of the time, the people around you can hear everything you are talking about and you never know who will overhear you.

Pay attention to your friends
If you have friends or family with you, avoid spending unnecessary time on your cell phone. Let unimportant calls go to voicemail. Limit texting and social media use. Spend your time with the people around you.

Step away for longer calls
If you have to take a longer call, excuse yourself and step away from those you are with. Keep all necessary conversations to a minimum.

There are so many more tips for National Cell Phone Etiquette Month. Stay tuned for more. Have a tip to share? Let us know – we love to hear from you!