Survey: With mobile etiquette, it's always the other guy who's rude

Don't you hate it when people tap away on their BlackBerrys at the dinner table, or discuss their love lives on their cells in the dentist's office? Sure you do—but you've never been guilty of such breaches of mobile etiquette, right? Right.

BetaNews recently discovered this new survey from Harris Interactive and Intel, which found that a whopping 90 percent of those polled are "frustrated by others' etiquette or lack thereof" when it comes to using mobile gadgets—think cell phones, laptops, and netbooks—in public.

Indeed, 72 percent of the 2,100-odd adults who answered the online survey said their "top annoyance" was people who text or type while behind the wheel—a bad idea, I'll grant you—while 63 percent can't stand folks "talking loudly" on the smartphones in public.

And here's my particular pet peeve: "texting or typing in the presence of others," which garnered 54 percent of the vote.

But once again, while those surveyed felt that almost everyone around them is being rude on their smartphones, most also thought that their own mobile behavior would make Miss Manners proud.

In fact, only 38 percent of those questioned copped to texting while, say, at the dinner table or conversing (in person) with a friend, while just 28 percent admitted to discussing "private matters in public" on their mobiles.

Some other factoids from the survey: About 56 percent of respondents said they were most annoyed when others broke mobile etiquette rules in restaurants and cafes, followed by movie theaters and concerts (47 percent), retail and grocery stores (41 percent), and last but not least ... bathrooms (26 percent). I have to say, it never fails to amaze me when I see (and hear) other guys talking on their cell phones while they're busy ... well, doing their respective things. (Seriously, can't it wait for five minutes?)

In any case, you'll be happy to hear that I, personally, never breach any of these mobile etiquette rules—and were I ever to do so, I'm sure I wouldn't be bothering anyone. After all ... it's me, right?

So, what bothers you the most about those who use their mobile gadgets in public? Ever break any smartphone etiquette rules yourself? Do tell.

Related:
Everyone but you is being rude with their mobile gadgets [BetaNews]