Cell Phone Etiquette

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Elaine Swann

Elaine Swann Enterprises (ESE)

http://www.elaineswann.com/

contact-elaine@elaineswann.com

Earning her place as respected authority on the etiquette trade through her self-driven research, Lifestyle and Etiquette Expert Elaine Swann has been touted as today’s hip, savvy etiquette advisor, as evidenced by her regular appearances as a special correspondent on San Diego’s NBC 7/39 “News in the Morning,” her Web site, syndicated column and etiquette-inspired products.

Nick-named “The Etiquette Lady,” Elaine shares up-to-the minute tools and practical tips from a contemporary perspective, presenting workshops, seminars and one-on-one sessions with private clients. Elaine’s clients include schools, civic and non-profit organizations, as well as corporate businesses. Her passion lies in helping individuals empower themselves by developing sharp social skills that transcend into chic everyday style.

Born of Panamanian decent, Elaine is third in a family of five siblings. Elaine developed a love for everything etiquette early in life when her mother gave her the responsibility to set the table for dinner each night. Her dreams were further realized when her mother enrolled her in charm school, and later when she learned the formal teachings of etiquette through her participation in beauty pageants starting in her senior year of high school. The natural next step for Elaine was to move to New York City to pursue a career in modeling.

While living in New York, Elaine first stretched her entrepreneur wings by starting E.P. Models, a model management company that represented petite models, many whom landed principle roles in music videos. Elaine later returned to California, where she continued to develop as a creative leader, obtaining a cosmetology license, opening a full-service beauty salon called Bronzed Images, and becoming a freelance creative art director for Today’s Black Woman Magazine and writer for Word Up Magazine.

Elaine began her career in etiquette instruction when a sorority, aware of her strong pageant and modeling background, asked her to work with the girls for their annual debutante ball. The sorority continued to invite Elaine back, and each year she developed a more advanced program. After years of volunteering, a middle school principal hired Elaine to develop an after-school etiquette program for students. She immediately recognized that this would become her lifelong career motivation and began to grow her mini-empire from then on.

In 2005, Elaine auditioned for the “Martha Stewart Apprentice” in San Diego, where she was plucked from the line of several hundred prospects and interviewed on-air by an NBC reporter. After the brief interview, she was complimented by two news anchors and invited to return to do a segment about etiquette. As excited as she was about the prospect, Elaine had to put the offer on hold because she was called back by “Apprentice” producers for several more interviews. After stopping short of the top 16, Elaine refused to allow her disappointment to get the best of her. Instead, she chalked up the experience as a necessary part of her journey. Elaine followed up on NBC San Diego’s offer, and today she has become a familiar face as a regularly featured guest on the channel.

Cell Phone Etiquette

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Transcripts

Hi, I am Elaine Swann with Everyday Style. Today, we are talking about cell phone and gadget etiquette. What to do with all that technology? But before we get started, let me tell you a little bit about myself. I have been researching and teaching etiquette for over 10 years now to individuals, businesses, and organization. It's my goal that people practice everything with grace and style.

Now, when using your cell phone when someone is with you, keep in mind that the person face-to-face with you, they have top priority. It's important to use all of the technology that your phone offers, such as voicemail, caller ID, and text messaging. With voicemail, you'll find out who is calling, they'll be able to leave a message. Text messaging, you can send them something really quickly, and with caller ID. You'll always know exactly, who is calling. Keep in mind that it is very important to keep your private matters private. People don't want to hear, all the intimate details and aspects of your very private life.

In addition, speak softly, let the technology do the work, don't lock people into your space, your personal space. Be mindful if you are in the elevator or maybe even inline at the bank. If you put about 10 feet of space in between yourselves and others, you will be just fine. Now using that cell phone while you are driving, there are a couple of rules to follow.

Keep in mind that those ear pieces, whether they are Bluetooth or the ones that are wired, that's what they are used for, is when you are driving in a car. They are not meant to be used in a grocery store where you are walking around, and sounding like you are a crazy person talking to yourself. But they are meant to be used in the vehicle or even in a private space.

If you find that you have to have a prolong conversation while you are driving, just pullover and then, take that call. Also let the caller on the other line know that you are on the car, and on your cell phone. That way they can go ahead and expect interruptions or even possible disconnections, as you go through various areas.

Now with the ring tones, be vary of them, be sure that if you decide that you want to use some downloaded ring tone with your favorite pop stars music, that you can get right to your purse or your bag or what have you right away, so that people are not having to listen to all the hip hop or bibbity bop music, that's going on while you dig through your purse and find your phone.

Now, also when it comes to turning the phone off, every once in a while you just have to do exactly that. Turn it off, doctors offices, worship service, meetings, anytime of an enclosed place. Sometimes just turn the phone completely off and connect with people.

I have got a couple of tips on taking pictures with cell phones. You decide that you find something that is amusing or funny or someone that you are whipping. You want to take a picture, get permission first. Not everyone wants to have their photo taken, and they most certainly don't want to have it shared with the world. Those are our final tips on taking pictures, when using your cell phone.

We are going to talk about gadgets now. How about those PDAs and hand held devices?

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