Very often we hear remarks like “People in Nagaland are not disciplined,” “Nagas are not cultured,” “We are not civilized” etc. If Nagas are disciplined and maintained decency, a lot of problems prevailing in the society today will not be there. When we talk of social transformation, everything need not begin with one’s spirituality although this is most important for every individual to consider. For transformation to happen change in social relations must be initiated by every individual and it must take place in all areas of life.
In communication, cell phone certainly has made life so convenient and easy that our forefathers had never dreamt at all. Today, a large number of populations are using mobile cell phone. For land line, one point is sufficient for one house, but we see many members of the same household using cell phone. Unconfirmed report says that in Nagaland there are about 2, 00,000 users. This number means a lot to effect a change in the society. Mobile cell phone is very handy and the different ringing tones add exquisiteness to the gadget. But, if not used wisely, it can be nuisance to public life. One irritation we feel sometimes is when the network gets busy the whole day. During that ‘network busy’ time we even feel like throwing down the phone and crush it to pieces forgetting all the good services it had done to us. Mind you, such is time you can gauge your temperament.
Sometimes this small thing wears away the gravity of serious deliberations in meetings. I was surprised even to see some Government dignitaries who are supposed to be mindful of meeting decorum being very insensitive. Everybody in the society is a responsible person. There is a need to address ourselves as responsible people to be more cultured and more civilized in using cell phone in public life, particularly in official meetings. Talking loud through a cell phone in a company of people does not make one important; it rather portrays him/her to be idiotic.
It has become a common sight to see people talking through cell phone while driving car. Someone might say he has never had any problem doing it. But that is against the rule. Traffic regulation says we should avoid using phone while driving. In Denmark, if you are caught talking through a cell phone while driving, you have to pay fine and your driving license seized.
I want to quote again a survey done in the US by Opinion Research, published by The Telegraph, May 22, 2007. The headline was, “What people Find Most Irritating during Meetings”. The list goes thus:
* Disorganized, rambling meetings’ : 27%
* People who interrupt colleagues and try to dominate the meeting : 17%
* Cell phone interruptions : 16%
* People who fall asleep in meetings : 09%
* Meetings with no bathroom breaks : 08%
* Long meetings without refreshment : 06%
* People leaving early or arriving late : 05%
* Checking and playing with phone sets during meeting : 05%
* Meeting starting late : 04%
* No written recap of the meeting
outcomes : 04%
This is to show that cell phone is in third and eight positions. Let us try to work out Cell phone etiquette. Or shall we call it the Ten Commandments:-
1. In official meetings, or say, for the Church staff morning devotion, turn the ringer off. Otherwise the best is to switch it off for such meeting does not take much time.
2. Having a cell phone does not mean you need to answer all the calls, especially when you are engaged with other business/meetings. Pre-decide what you consider important, and attend to only important calls.
3. If you must make a call, find a private place to make that call.
4. Don’t bring a live cell phone when you come or go to meet your superiors. If you do, it is an indication that your attention is not with your boss. Even if you have to, set it to vibrating alert.
5. A cell phone has many other facilities besides receiving and making calls. Learn to use those options to avoid making you a menace to others.
6. A restroom is a place where people lounge to relax and rest. Don’t ever let your phone ring, or make voice call to others in a restroom.
7. And, if it is not very urgent or a serious matter, do not call people very early in the morning. You may disturb someone having his/her personal devotion.
8. Let it be a rule that in worship services, the phone is switched totally dead
9. If you receive a call or need to make call while driving, park your vehicle on the roadside and talk.
10. Students who keep cell phones must keep them off during class hours.
Observing the above steps can bring change in the society.
Rev Zhabu Terhuja, NBCC
