Electronics and Etiquette

We live in a society where nearly everyone has personal electronic gadgets. Wearing ear buds seems to be the universal sign for 'leave me alone' and some people believe talking on a cell phone anytime, anywhere is a God given right. If you attend any type of public gathering that lasts more than 20 minutes or so, more than likely there will be at least one cell phone that goes off. And it won't be a really cool ring tone either. We have to suffer through the double annoyance of the phone going off and a stupid ringer as well.

I don't have a problem with people listening to their MP3 players. I have one myself and use it often. If I need to talk to someone using their i-pod I don't mind tapping them on the shoulder if they don't respond to my initial inquiry. However, once I have their attention I think it is reasonable to expect them to give me their attention during our conversation. This could mean taking the earbuds out, pausing/turning off the MP3 player, or some other visible means that shows me they are engaged in our communication. Is this too much to expect? Does Miss Manners need to publish a book on personal electronics etiquette? Am I a prude?

Over the past several weeks I have observed many instances of electronic rudeness; phones going off at church, people talking on their cell phones during a quiet gathering (where they could have easily left the room if it was important to take the call), and older kids having their ear buds in (or playing a PSP game) when they should be paying attention to a speaker at an event.

I don't think the actual devices are the problem. We can put our phones on vibrate. We can instruct our children to leave the MP3 player and games at home. We can leave a room when our phone conversation will potentially distract others.

So why don't we?