Whether you are at a slumber party, dinner party, or a corporate business gathering, phone etiquette is a growing necessity in today’s world.
How is it possible for the first President of the United States of America to have productive applicable rules for 21st century Americans? Read more to find out! 😉
As a 14-year-old, George Washington set to develop his soul and shape his habits to become a true gentleman. In a small journal, he compiled 110 rules for his daily practice in search of perfection. The majority of the rules came from the French Jesuits of 1559. Washington had long studied the art of good manners and sought to compile the most important for himself.
Obviously, George Washington did not have iPhones, TVs, or computers to fill his time. He did, however, have books!
- Today, our high tech screens are comparable to his delicate paper pages.
- He read his news from parchment, while we receive ours from online apps.
- Washington corresponded (quite beautifully, I’ll say!) with handwritten letters. Today we send texts, emails, or quickly call each other.
- Washington learned and developed his mind through books. Today, scholars read online scientific journals and so on.
Though I do believe books, handwritten letters, and so forth are better than blue light screens, both can be a hurtful distraction from friends, families, and coworkers when used during inappropriate times and places.
The following are rules George Washington compiled for himself in which we can apply to our 21st-century phone etiquette.
#1.) “Read no letters, books, or papers in company; but when there is a necessity for the doing of it, you must ask to leave.”
Today, we should add, read no text messages, emails, online news articles, social media posts, etc. in the company of others.
When in the presence of others, we should give our undivided attention to the conversations at hand. Part of being a good friend, parent, child, and so on is being intentional and personal. As George Washington put away his books for his company, let us put away our cell phones for our company.
#2.) “Come not near the books or writings of another so as to read them or give your opinion of them unasked…”
When in the presence of others, do not comment on their personal emails, texts, journals, etc. Also, do not look at other people’s cell phones or computers. Keep your eyes to yourself.
In my mind, I picture peeking Paula peering over her friend’s shoulder to give unwarranted advice on private matters.
I also believe this can apply to another piece of phone etiquette.
When in the presence of others, do not continually read your own text messages, emails, news articles, etc. Be attentive to your friends and family members. If you are invited to a friend or family’s house, put the phone away.
Technology can be used for so much good! Obviously, George Washington often had his nose in a book for learning, studying, and growing into a man of courage. Nevertheless, the people surrounding him deserved his undivided attention. May his rules for himself, be helpful and useful to today’s phone etiquette.
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