Smartphones have become a big part of our culture, and those of us who own them rely on them heavily. BlackBerrys have earned the nickname "Crackberry" because a lot of BlackBerry users spend so much time using their devices that they are perceived as having an addiction. Even though a BlackBerry is a powerful tool, using one all the time wherever you go can alienate people. These quick BlackBerry etiquette tips can keep that from happening.
1. Use Vibrating Notifications
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If you are in a quiet office, a restaurant, or a meeting, your BlackBerry alerts and ringtones will disturb the people around you and draw unnecessary attention to you. Be considerate of the people around you, and leave your BlackBerry on vibrate in situations where you might disturb them. If you plan on leaving your BlackBerry on your desk, remember that a vibrating smartphone on a hard surface can be just as irritating as one that rings constantly.
2. Avoid Texting While Walking
Texting or sending email while you are walking is dangerous for you and the people around you. Pay attention to where you are going to avoid injuring yourself or other pedestrians.
3. Stay Focused On Conversations
If you are having a face-to-face conversation with someone, it is rude to pick up your BlackBerry and start reading or writing messages. If there is an emergency or time critical issue that you need to take care of, inform the person you are talking to before you take out your BlackBerry and begin to type.
4. Take Off the Bluetooth Headset
When you are talking on a Bluetooth headset tethered to your BlackBerry, people around you may think you are talking to them if they do not see the headset first. If you are having a face-to-face conversation with someone, remove your headset so they know you’re focusing on your conversation with them.
5. Adhere to Organization Protocols and Company Culture
Some organizations are very technologically savvy and encourage employees to be constantly connected. Messaging during meetings may be fine in that environment, but may cost you your job in a more conservative environment. Observe the culture and ask other employees whether BlackBerry use in meetings is considered appropriate.
6. Reconsider How You Define "Important"
Every phone call, text, email, PIN, and instant message you receive on your BlackBerry cannot be important. Learn to prioritize your communications, and carefully decide which phone calls and messages need your attention immediately.
Before you pick up your BlackBerry to answer a call or read an email, take a few seconds to consider the people in your immediate environment. Will you offend or disturb them if you turn your attention to your BlackBerry at that moment? Let your friends, family, and coworkers know that you may not always be able to respond to their communications immediately in certain situations, and reconsider what communications are important enough to require your immediate attention.