Hang up the phone and shop! The holiday season is upon us. Soon the shopping malls and stores will be filled with excited shoppers holding their lists, anticipating responses for gifts and gestures. I love holiday shopping. Excitement and unexpected surprises surround us. People meet for holiday lunches with packages and gifts. The smell of peppermint mocha permeates the air in every shopping mall and opportunities to be charitable are plentiful. It truly is a wonderful time of year.
The one thing that takes away from the experience is the number of people talking loudly on their cell phones.
Most people don’t realize how loud they are speaking and that the entire store or restaurant is listening to their conversation. I find myself very uncomfortable and embarrassed for these individuals. They don’t realize that they are sharing their private topics of conversation with everyone around them and making most people feel very uncomfortable.
This holiday season, leave the cell phone in the car. Everyone would like to enjoy a festive holiday shopping experience. Holiday shopping includes browsing the aisles, taking in everything in search of the perfect gift for a special person. Nothing wrecks the experience faster than someone talking loudly on his or her cell phone. Return to the traditions of magical moments and be considerate of those doing the same. Hang up the phone and shop!
Happy holidays.
Colleen Harding is a certified etiquette and protocol instructor and the founder of the Cleveland School of Etiquette and Corporate Protocol. Programs and packages available for children and businesses.