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Jahrell P. Gardner
October 27, 2016
Writing & Inquiry
Connie Douglas
CELL PHONE USE & ETIQUETTE FINAL DRAFT
The observations for this ethnography took place on Monday, October 10, 2016, at the
Concord Mills Mall in Concord, North Carolina. The researcher made observations in front of
the Mens Wearhouse and at the Concord Mills Food Court, which lasted about an hour and five
minutes. During his observation, the researcher saw a wide variety of things from a family of
three shopping for clothes in the Childrens Place, to a five-year-old skipping through the mall
without a care in the world, to a forty or fifty-year-old man sitting at a table looking off into the
distance, contemplating or in deep thought about something.
The researcher was present for most of the observation examining numerous people on
their cell phones, most of them talking, texting or playing games on their phones or mobile
devices. For instance, he noticed a woman, about twenty years old talking on the phone, who was
apparently ecstatic about something as she exclaimed Oh, you already know!. In addition to
this, a man was standing by a prop palm tree on his phone as he was sending a text message or
making a phone call. Overall, throughout the entire duration of the observation, the researcher
observed about twenty to thirty people on their cell phones doing something whether it was
talking, texting or playing games on their phones. The amount of cell phone use led him to select
his discourse group which was cell phone users in general. This information also led him to

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question and think about what people typically use their cell phones for, who uses their cell
phones the most today, and is there any such thing as cell phone etiquette and if so, what is it?
The researcher conducted an interview with a forty-one year old woman named Patricia
about cell phone use and cell phone etiquette. The interview was conducted on Sunday, October
23 at about 9:30 PM. The duration of the interview was roughly thirty to forty-five minutes long.
This is an interview with Patricia. She is currently forty-one years old. The researchers only
connection to her is that she is a friend of his mother. The interview is transcribed below:
R: How long have you owned a cell phone? (1)
P: I have owned a cell phone since I was 18
R: Is there a such thing as cell phone etiquette? (2)
P: I believe there is a such thing as cell phone etiquette because regardless if we
are on the phone or speaking to someone face to face, respect should always be
given to all that are privileged to the conversation being had on the cell phone.
R: What constitutes good cell phone etiquette? (3)
P: I think good cell phone etiquette entails speaking quietly on your phone in
public and paying attention while using your phone
R: What constitutes bad cell phone etiquette? (4)
P: Bad etiquette to me, would include trying to talk on your phone to someone
and trying to interact with others at the same time
R: Do you prefer iPhone or Android? Why? (5)

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P: I prefer Android because every phone I have ever had has been Android as well
as the fact that they tend to be more durable than iPhones.
R: How much do you use your cell phone on a weekly basis? (6)
P: I use my phone every day, probably about 5 to 6 hours daily
R: What do you typically use your cell phone for? (7)
P: I probably use my cell phone for texting more than anything else
R: Who do you feel uses their phones the most in todays world? Why? (8)
P: Teenagers probably use their phones the most as it provides them with easy
access to social media and current events
R: How much time do you tend to spend on social media? (9)
P: I probably spend about 2 to 3 hours using my phone for social media, per day.
R: How often do you charge your phone? (10)
P: I charge my phone about 2 to 3 times per day
R: What would you suggest to someone who spends too much time on their
phone? (11)
P: I would suggest that they sit down and have a genuine conversation with
someone in person and give social media a break.
R: What is the purpose of a cell phone? (12)

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P: I think the purpose of a cell phone is for people to be able to contact people
when you are outside of work or home but I think most people use their phones to
stay informed of current events and things happening around them.
R: What is your take on the rumor that cell phone radiation can cause cancer? (13)
P: With excessive contact to the skin, I think a cell phone could cause cancer
R: Are there appropriate and inappropriate times that cell phones should be used?
Why? (14)
P: I dont think there are appropriate and or inappropriate times to use your phone,
I just think they should be used when necessary and in moderation leisurely
R: In terms of cell phone providers and or service, who do you prefer? Why? (15)
P: I personally prefer AT&T because I think they are all the same, and the prices
are generally in the same ball park unless you have a prepaid phone.
R: Do you use your cell phone more in todays world or when you were younger?
(16)
P: I was 18 and when I got my first cell phone, they were not very popular, so I
would say I use my cell phone more now than when I was younger.
R: Why do you think that some people talk loudly on their phones in public? (17)
P: I think that some people who speak loudly on their phones in public are either
rude or just cant hear because of everything that is going on around them
R: Name some advantage(s) of using a cell phone (18)

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P: I am sure I am aging myself but it gives you mobility, when I was growing up,
there was only a land line that was not cordless
R: Name some disadvantage(s) of using a cell phone (19)
P: If used irresponsibly, they can be a distraction while driving
R: How many text messages do you send daily? (20)
P: I probably send upwards of 100 texts per day
R: In your opinion, have cell phones helped or hindered society? (21)
P: I think that cell phones have both helped and hindered society, as in emergency
situations, cell phones can save lives, but on the other hand when cell phones are
used irresponsibly, they can take a life
R: Do you use your phone while it is on the charger? (22)
P: Yes and I know it is not safe
P: I talk on my phone daily as well
R: Do you use your phone often in the mornings? (24)
P: Yes, sometimes. I primarily use it as an alarm clock to help me wake up in the
morning
R: How old do you think someone should be before they get their first cell phone?
Why? (25)
P: I think that someone should be at least 13 before receiving their first cell phone
because I think that is the earliest that they would be a responsible user

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Regarding cell phone use in the world today, People have a natural need to be
connected, and cell phones fulfill that in some aspects says psychologist Janette McMurtie
(Doyle 1). Per McMurtie, the personalities of people determine the way they use their cell
phones or what they do on their cell phones. On the other hand, X-Cel Produce owner John
Darowz has a strong hatred of cell phones in his shop as he enforces a strong no cell phone
policy in his store. Darowz feels as though people do not need to have a cell phone all the time
because its peoples use of them, theyve become obnoxious with their phones (Watson 1). A
disadvantage of cell phones is that more people than ever own cell phones. This widespread use
of cell phones has come at a price. Almost 8 in 10 people said that they come across rude cell
phone manners whereas others have admitted to taking calls during meals and or letting their
phone distract them while driving.
In terms of cell phone etiquette, Cell Phone DOs & DONTs MANNERS EXPERT
Dorothea Johnson compiled a list of rules when it comes to cell phone etiquette. The DOs of cell
phone etiquette include putting your phone in vibrate if youre in a meeting, keeping the volume
of your conversations to a minimum, and using a hands-free device while using a phone in the
car. The DONTs of cell phone etiquette include not using the phone in a car and not using your
phone in a public place where it can cause a disturbance.

WORKS CITED
Doyle, Sue. Some Say Devices, Hailed for Convenience, should Come with an Etiquette

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Manual. Inland Valley Daily Bulletin Aug 22 2005. ProQuest. Web. 27 Oct. 2016.
Goodman, Giselle. LOUD & CLEAR; Etiquette Says theres almost Never a Good Excuse for
the Kind of Public Cell-Phone Conversations that have become all too common and allToo-Annoying. Portland Press Herald: D1. Nov 072005. ProQuest. Web. 27 Oct. 2016.
Watson, Stephen T. Can You Hear The Cell Phones Now? ; (how Can You Possibly Help it?);
Everyone has a Horror Story to Tell, Although some Say Phone Etiquette has Improved
Slightly. Buffalo News: A1.Apr 09 2006. ProQuest. Web.27 Oct. 2016 .