Ever since the mobile phone became a necessity in everybody's life, we've been using it to send text messages, make calls, play games, listen to music, watch videos, go online, etc......

The result of relying so heavily on our mobile phones is that we tend to use them EVERYWHERE and ANYTIME.

The only problem is, do you take notice of your surroundings when you are using your mobile phone? Do you have the habit of switching your phone (or yourself for that matter) to silent mode when the situation deems it?

Say, for an example, you are in a crowded bus and a guy beside you is talking on his mobile phone. He makes such a verbal racket (such as: "YEAH YEAH, OK OK I GOT IT!") that even the other passengers turn around and stare at him. Much to your dismay, you're stuck beside him getting your eardrums pounded until the bus makes a stop, or until he stops hollering into his phone. The funny thing is, an individual who is having a shouting conversation on his/her mobile phone will most probably be oblivious to the negative responses from the people around them! You can probably guess the person's etiquette from the way he or she talks on the phone.

Another annoying example of silent mode negligence is in the cinema. Don't you hate it when the movie reaches its climax, its most exciting part, and suddenly someone's phone goes off at the same time?! It makes things even worse when the phone's ring tone is really annoying (ETC: CRAZY FROG), not to mention the sudden bright light emitted from his/her mobile phone while you're so deeply focused in the movie. SMS alerts are also irritating if the person's phone isn't set to silent mode; it's like a fly buzzing around your head and you can't swat it away. Why do they roll out the "PLEASE SET YOUR MOBILE PHONES TO SILENT MODE" scene in the first place? Some people just don't get it, or maybe they're just too insensitive.

Why do some students get their mobile phone confiscated in class? Because those idiots forget to set them to silent mode. Want to get a bad reputation in the company? Turn your mobile phone to "Outdoor" mode instead of "Silent" during a meeting and see what response you'll get from the boss and your peers. Don't want to get chased out of the cinema? Turn your mobile phone to silent mode. Be thoughtful and try to understand other people's situation around you.

Tip: A vibrating phone is always easier to notice than a loud ring tone in a noisy place.