"Mobile Courtesy Matters" according to a new survey by Sprint. 100% of mobile phone users felt they were courteous of other people: they moved away at least a couple of feet to take calls. But 80% felt that other people were "less courteous today than five years ago." (Source: eMarkerter.com)

Here's a collection of ways people cope:

Keven Dingledine’s job at the Byron Nelson golf tournament was to maintain quiet on the fairways. In my favorite among alliterative solutions to obtaining silence, "Dingledine dutifully directed the cellularly equipped to a nearby table for safe, temporary deposit." He heard every excuse: "my wife’s pregnant, or I’m a doctor on call. All that." 
Dallas Morning News, May 14, 2001, 2B.

The new term Power Rudeness is defined as: "Ugly behavior enabled by the digital age, such as using beepers in movie theaters, taking cell calls in restaurants, and firing employees via email."
Wired, June 2001, 82

Announcement at the Friday Group business forum: "Before we start, turn off your pagers and phones whether they are in your pocket, your briefcase your handbag…"

I'm currently writing a code of conduct for students in my program that will include silencing cell phones."

I also threaten students with "if your cell phone goes off it'll cost you a $1," or I tell them "for every ring you've just donated a dollar to my chocolate donut fund," and I tell them where to buy my donuts and the type of coffee I like (Kenyan or Sumatra). I rarely get cell rings in my class.
Mike Leslie, Wayne State

Dr Terry R. Watson, DO, Dallas, Texas, has posted a neat but firm notice on his front door:

PLEASE TURN CELL PHONE OFF UPON ENTERING

The super title translations for the Dallas Opera begin: Turn off cell phones and pagers.

Amtrak has added reserved cars in which the use of laptops and cell phones is forbidden. A press release trumpeted:

"AMTRAK QUIET CARS A HUGE SUCCESS WITH GUESTS, TWO MORE TO BE ADDED MARCH 1. Philadelphia -Amtrak is adding two more cars to its growing fleet of Quiet Cars on the Northeast Corridor…The move follows the overwhelmingly positive response by guests to the Quiet Cars… `When the idea of a Quiet Car was first brought up here at Amtrak, we were hoping at the very least it would be accepted by our guests,’ said Amtrak Northeast Corridor President Stan Bagely. `Not only do our guests accept, them, but they're telling us `it's about time!’’"
Press release, Amtrak.com, February 28, 2001

An "in your face" placard greets customers at the United Airlines ticket counter in the Oakland, CA airport. Over a drawing of a cell phone circled with the "no" line through it is the message: "Please have your phone calls completed prior to approaching the next available agent. Thank you for your cooperation." 

A similar request at an Albertson’s pharmacy implies you’ll get the wrong pills if you don’t!

Read out loud. Any reading material will do, the newspaper or even a list of ingredients on a food box or jar-- 
"Riboflavin, 4% .... " 
Commuting by bus from Parsippany to New York City

Using a banana as a cell phone was observed in a Mexican restaurant.

Just write down all the business information the lawyer behind you is broadcasting non-stop on his cell phone. I know that Mary‘s basket of flowers cost $50, that he’s trying to get a $60 hourly rate and the names of everyone on his team competing for a business deal. 
Commuting by Acela train from Washington DC to New York City

An AT&T conference speaker did: “Answer that phone! That means money to us!”

Groups of safari tourists are led by rangers, “rifle 1” and “rifle 2.” They are carefully warned before hiking into the bush to change film to avoid the whirring noise of rewinding cameras and turn off phones. On one hike, rifle 1 heard an “animal” and swung around with gun pointed. Of course it was a cell phone—what else.

Can you top these? Send us what works for you. No prizes offered, silence is your reward!