Circles Life survey has exposed our worst mobile phone habits

New national research by digital telco Circles Life has exposed Australians’ worst mobile phone habits.

A survey of more than 1000 customers shows most users have their own set of bad habits while talking on their smartphone.

These include eating while on a call, taking a call in the bathroom and drunkenly calling or texting an ex-partner.

“Almost two-thirds of adults admit to having taken a call or selfie while on the toilet, one in three have texted or called an ex-partner while intoxicated and one in four has sent a risque text or photo to the wrong person,” said Genevieve Brock from Circles Life.

“We also discovered four in five people screen calls by keeping contact details on their phone – enabling them to choose who they ignore and who they speak to.

“The survey of over 1000 phone users showed almost half feel it would be hard to go a day without their mobile phone while one in three would go without sex for a week rather than go without their phone for a day.”

Here are Circle Life’s suggestions for improving your mobile etiquette:

AT WORK

Don’t take call in the middle of meetings. In fact, you should keep your phone in your pocket or face down on the desk. Excuse yourself from the room to take a call or reply to a text.

ON THE TOILET

Don’t answer calls while on the throne. If you need to text or send an email – make sure your device is on silent. And make sure you wash your hands and wipe down your phone.

OUT WITH FRIEND

The people who chose to spend time with you in person should have your attention before the people contacting you by phone. But it’s considered polite to reply to texts and WhatsApp and Messenger message on the same day they were received.

EATING AND AT RESTURANTS

It’s rude to be munching away loudly while you’re on a call. Stop eating when you get a call or call them back after you’ve finished your meal or snack. And if you’re in a restaurant and you want to take a photo of your meal and share it on social media – the etiquette is to ask those at the table with you if it’s OK to do so. And Circles Life says if you’re on a date avoid doing this at all if you have any hopes of a second date.

ON THE MOVE

If you’re walking around and looking at your phone and typing, then you’re probably going to walking into a pole or another person. Keep your phone in your pocket or bag while walking around. Maybe dictate your messages so you can keep an eye on where you’re going or here’s an idea: stop and finish typing. And one of the worst things you can do is loudly answer your phone on a crowded bus or train.

SCREENING CALLS

With caller ID it’s easy to dodge calls from certain people. Beat advice is to face the music – answer the call and get it out of the way. It’s rude to continually ignore people.

IN STORES

A retail worker deserves your full attention. Whether you’re ordering coffee or in a large department store take your phone away from your ear or end the call before you speak with them.

Circles Life operates on the Optus 4G Plus Network in Australia and offers no lock-in contracts and can port your number to their service.