Blackberry Blackout.

I don't care how important you think you are. When you're in a meeting, get off your blackberry. Unless there's some kind of emergency like your wife is in labour, there's really nothing that can't wait for an hour. What ever happened to manners!?

I walked out of the subway a couple of weeks ago and joined about 20 other people at a bus stop. I waited and waited and after about 10 minutes I looked around and noticed that everyone, and I'm not exaggerating here, everyone was either talking on their phone or texting. It was super creepy, everyone was in their own little cell phone bubble and it just looked so strange. Like a bunch of robots lined up talking into mini robots, with robots responding back through the mini robot. Bizarro. Surprisingly enough, I can understand how we got here, how everyone is all wrapped up in technology and afraid of one another. I think it's ridiculous, but I get it. Insecurity, boredom and an addiction to technology makes us turn to our phones. But in a meeting? Isn't that basically like turning your back on the person that's speaking? You might as well just get up, turn around and stand there with your back to the world.

When someone is doing a presentation, don't sit in the front row of an all-staff meeting and start clicking away on your Blackberry. They aren't silent, and that damn clicking/typing noise drives me bananas. Why are you even in the room when all you're going to do it hang out on your Blackberry? It sends a really bad message, I don't care who you are...high up in the organization or not. Actually, if anyone lower down on the ladder (such as myself) were caught using their Blackberry during a meeting, there would be trouble. So why is it okay for the "higher-ups" to do it?

You know what's worse? Being in a meeting with three other people, two of them paying attention and the other one typing away on their Blackberry. I actually have a really hard time speaking in front of people especially when it's something prepared, like a presentation or leading a meeting. I start talking and you start texting!? Please save me the uncomfortable feeling of inadequacy and at least pretend to pay attention to what I have to say. If the topic of the meeting isn't important enough for you, then don't attend. Easy peasy.

I have a Blackberry, it was a free offer for switching over from Rogers the Hellraiser to Bell the Beast. I still hardly know how the thing works and my email isn't connected to it. I use it respectfully aka; it isn't my lifeline. I would die laughing if there was a mass Blackberry Blackout, it would be a good way to go. Come on people, get it together and stop disrespecting one another.