Top Rules for Living with Technology
Techniquette - How to be a Gadget User Without Offending Anyone
Techniquette (n)A code of principles designed to reduce the invasive presence of technology in people’s lives.
The rise of mobile phone usage over the past few years has reduced modern Britain to a cacophony of beeps, vibrations and catchy ring tones. It’s impossible to walk down the street these days without being besieged by an orchestra of sounds, ranging from Crazy Frog to the Nokia jingle. More and more, as technology invades people's space and permeates day-to-day lives, it’s becoming important to observe the basic rules of etiquette to ensure that people can live in harmony with their gadgets and gizmos.
Technology bringing people together?
A few years ago, it was unimaginable that people would all be communicating whenever and wherever the fancy took them. As gadgets such as the mobile phone, Blackberry and laptop become more accessible and portable than ever before, humans seem to be incapable of communicating without relying on new technology.
Is it time to establish some ground rules for using technology before society is reduced to a pack of gibbering technophiles? Here are some basic ground rules to ensure that a breach of techniquette isn't perpetrated.
Putting gadgets on silent
In situations where people stand to get a withering glare for enabling their Nokia to announce its existence to the world, it makes sense to opt for a more discreet way of getting call notifications. Vibrate – it’s more fun!
Polite ways to communicate
Instead of choosing to send hasty texts to family, friends or work colleagues, try picking up the telephone and giving them a call. It’s much more friendly and easier to gauge expression through tone of voice than predictive text. Gr8!
Remember face to face
In the old days, when people wanted to catch up together, they would try something radical like sitting opposite them. Don’t allow technology to reduce the amount of time spent interacting with people.
Hold that call – it can wait
Do people really need to call someone on themobile while in the supermarket, on the bus or going to the bathroom? Hold off from making non-critical calls until there is a quiet space available that won’t disturb other people.
Taste in mobile tones
If people must have a mobile going off, they should at least have the courtesy to choose a tasteful tone. It’s much nicer for other people to hear a sedate ‘ring ring’ than to be subjected to the chords from Crazy Frog.
Turn down Tom Tom satellite navigation
Satellite navigation can be a blessing, but not for passengers. If the gadget is blaring out on a long-distance drive, it will stop all conversation and the party in the car will be reduced to replying to the machine when it instructs to ‘Turn left at the next junction’.
Driving – don’t do it
It can be very frustrating to be at the mercy of a driver with one hand glued to their ear as they try to navigate a difficult corner. From February 2007, a law came into effect under the Road Safety Act which means, if ysomeone is caught speaking on a hand-held mobile phone, they will receive three penalty points and a fine of up to £60.
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