Cell Phones--I'm not judging, I'm just saying...

Paying homage to Wikipedia's definition of social media, cell phones most certainly "integrate technology, social interaction, and the construction of words, pictures, videos and audio".  A couple of my interactions with cell phones this week have made me wonder why we don't approach them with the same level of caution that we do our facebook accounts and blogs.  If Big Brother Corporate America really is watching, (s)he can certainly hear our obnoxious ringtones and probably doesn't worship the same God that the Blackberry Prayer reveres. 

I have a friend that always concludes any sort of opinion about the way someone lives their life with this SAME quote: "I'm not judging, I'm just saying..."  I thought I'd channel her for this post.  Here are a few tips:

1. Photos--In 2 interactions this week, I learned the cell phone has replaced the wallet for a holding area for baby and pet pictures.  That being said, if you are going to show off your children by handing off the phone, please include instructions about how to flip to the next picture and PLEASE ensure that private pictures not intended for consumption by others are not included in the line-up.  On one of my co-workers phones I recently went from admiring pictures of his daughter Madison and the puppies to clutching my pearls at a picture of some scantily clad gal with 5 inch clear heels...Um I'm not judging, I'm just saying....

2. Ring Tones--I'm all about personalizing the ringtones, but if yours is controversial please utilize the vibrate function on the phone.  And never underestimate the interpretation of lyrics.  What might be a tribute to some kid's drawing to one, may be an ode to LSD to another.  One of my colleagues phone plays "Hey there Delilah" by the Plain White T's every time a certain person (who works with him) calls.  I doubt there's anything going on but hearing "Oh its what you do to meeeee" right before a conversation could lead someone believe that something may or may not be going on within the ranks...I'm not judging, I'm just saying...

3.  Voicemail messages--On both ends, a bad voicemail message can be traumatic.  I've literally hung up after hearing greetings that don't sound conducive to any professional working environment.  Leave a greeting that is energetic, informative, and inviting and I'll gladly return the favor when I leave my message.  On the flip side I've deleted messages from people who've returned phone calls and then drone on and on via the voicemail.  It's just flat out annoying.  The daggone Oscar's limits people who are achieving one of the greatest honors of their lives to 45 seconds, why must you go above and beyond that???

...I'm not judging, I'm just saying...