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New Technology and Phone Etiquette for Today

from Reader's Digest Dec./Jan. 2012 | January 06 2012
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1. If all you have to say in your e-mail reply is "Thanks!" refrain from sending it. You're just clogging an inbox.

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2. Long "@" conversations on Twitter bore other followers. Take them to Twitter's Direct Message (DM) or e-mail.

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3. Don't use cell phones in a waiting room, checkout line, restaurant, train, or (heaven forbid!) bathroom stall.

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4. When talking to someone in person, don't glance down at your cell phone to see who's trying to reach you.

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5. When instant-messaging, always ask if now is a good time to chat.

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6. It's OK to piggyback on a neighbor's free Wi-Fi as long as you don't hog it and do realize it's not secure.

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7. RSVP to legitimate online invitations promptly.

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8. Things not to do when e-mailing: shout in all caps, use colored fonts or clip-art emoticons, attach large files, forward an e-mail unless appropriate.

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9. You can e-mail thank-yous for party invitations and birthday gifts given in person as long as you send each of them separately. (No cc's.) For mailed gifts, letters of recommendation, and wedding presents, a written note is still preferable.

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10. Brag all you want on your Facebook page, but make sure you high-five your friends just as often.

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11. Work e-mails can be sent anytime, but business texts should be restricted to one hour before the start of the workday to two hours after it ends, according to The Modern Gentleman.

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12. If you still own an answering machine, make sure the outgoing message isn't annoying or twee.

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13. It's OK (and even advisable) to follow your boss on Twitter, but you shouldn't try to friend him on Facebook. Friends implies equivalency; followers, not so.

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Your Comments

  • Brian Kamens

    Reader’s Digest – It is not okay to piggyback on a neighbor’s wifi just because it is not secure.  If you ammend and say with their permission, that would be alright.  However, just because someone leaves their lawn tractor outside and not secured, doesn’t give you the right to borrow it.

  • Brian Kamens

    Reader’s Digest – It is not okay to piggyback on a neighbor’s wifi just because it is not secure.  If you ammend and say with their permission, that would be alright.  However, just because someone leaves their lawn tractor outside and not secured, doesn’t give you the right to borrow it.

  • Anonymous

    Agree with the piggybacking. If you have their permission, then yes it’s ok to piggyback as long as you realize it’s not secure and you don’t hog it. Otherwise, in a growing number of cities around the US, it’s becoming illegal/crime/can be issued a fine.

  • Kati

    It’s not “Becoming Illegal” Unauthorized or fraudulent use of a network connection has been illegal in all states of the US since the passing of the Cybersecurity Act of 2009.