Blackberry Etiquette?

June 11, 2009 by Judith

Is Blackberry Etiquette any different than E-mail Etiquette? Nope. However, for some reason I get e-mails daily asking about Blackberry Etiquette as though by virtue of the device, courtesy and common sense does not apply.

The topic I am most contact about is the checking and responding to e-mails when others feel it is inappropriate. For example at the dinner table, in church, during meetings, while in a conversation with someone else.

If you think about it, Etiquette in general is just a way to behave when taking into consideration how your actions (or lack thereof) could affect others. Proper technology use, whether it be e-mail, Blackberrys, IMs or even cell phones does not include you doing what you want, how you want or when you want without consideration for proper practices — and for others.

Sadly, all too many think that with technology anything goes. Wrong!

Regardless of what tool you are using, you simply need to be aware of how to use it properly with consideration for others. This means not answering e-mails on your Blackberry when sitting at the family dinner table, during the sermon in church or in a meeting where your full attention should be — in the meeting.

To hide behind technology as an excuse to not be courteous because the other side isn’t there for you to be accountable to, is self-serving at best. To reply to e-mails on your Blackberry when common courtesy and decorum dictates your full attention be given to those you are with, clearly reflects your lack of tech savvy and when it comes to business meetings, your professionalism. Your full attention should be on the meeting!

Courtesy and perception go hand in hand. Without courtesy, the perception you leave in your wake will tell people exactly what they need to know about you — and it probably won’t be positive.

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Comments

4 Responses to “Blackberry Etiquette?”

souldawg on June 22nd, 2009 3:15 pm

Such a hot topic right now. I found this video online after reading today’s NYT article. Wonder if I would get fired if I sent it to my boss……

http://www.howcast.com/videos/181516-How-To-Practice-Proper-Etiquette-on-a-BlackBerry-Smartphone-or-Other-PDA
Judith on June 23rd, 2009 12:52 pm

Thanks for the comments and the link! I checked out the video and while some of the info was accurate and true, parts of it were so common sense I couldn’t believe that folks have to be told to not do certain things (like not texting while cross a street)! But, hey, every little bit helps and I recommend everyone check out the video to make sure they have all the bases covered!
Carolyn on July 23rd, 2009 8:37 pm

My best friend recently visited me at a remote location in Maine. She is a high-powered business woman and really needs a week away from her business. But, along with her for this trip came her Blackberry. Unfortunately, she had reception at my cabin, and would frequently begin typing away, leaving me to wonder if she was present with me or not. I needed to say, “Are you in the middle of something, or can I talk?” often, and felt that her actions were rude and inconsiderate of me. She has assistants and partners, and is not a neurosurgeon. In fact, we had agreed that she could spend an hour a day addressing business issues, but her “need” to be in touch and available seemed to override her need to connect with her best friend on an annual sojourn. We actually had an argument about this, and I believe that feelings continue to be damaged. There needs to be some etiquette specifically directed toward the use of the Blackberry, a piece of technology which can contribute to a much subtler form of rudeness than the cell phone. thanks for letting me vent…
Judith on July 24th, 2009 4:50 pm

Hey, Carolyn:

Vent all you want! I get e-mails like this all day long so know you are not alone!! Seems what is happening is these compulsive, almost addicted users are going to be the ones who end up all alone…

Since when did a device become more important than our relationships? When did paying more attention to virtual relationships become a priority over the person sitting right there in the same room with you? It seems all common sense courtesy has gone right out the window. That’s why I think some folks do have a problem walking away from these devices. Instead of AA, someone should start BA! ;-)

You are correct in your statement that this was rude and inconsiderate! I do have articles on this site as well as over on my Business E-mail Etiquette Blog about Blackberry Etiquette. The bottom line is this is a courtesy issue.

What a shame this long time friendship is now damaged over someone not appreciating an annual get-away with a good friend over an inanimate device. Maybe send your friend to this article about IM Etiquette (same thing) and maybe she’ll get a better understanding of how her actions can and will effect her relationships.

Hope things work out…

Take care ~
Judith