One of my classmates this week wrote about an “unofficial” company web blog found at Crackberry.com. The site offers the latest tools, tips and tricks for Blackberry owners. As a current Crackberry user, I found this site to be fun and informative and it made me laugh because having a Blackberry can some times be so addictive that you feel a constant need to check for emails, texts and phone calls. It made me start to think about the fact that once you have a Crackberry, you can’t go back to not having one.
At my office, I often hear co-workers say that they would be happy if their Blackberry was taken away but I seriously wonder how they would survive one day without it. According to a recent study posted on HubPages.com, 33 percent of people who use a wireless handheld device like the Blackberry, showed the same signs of addiction as alcoholics and drug addicts. There are currently 7 million people who use a Blackberry and there are actually companies offering classes on Blackberry etiquette. I don’t know about you, but I don’t need to take a class to know when I’m in a Blackberry zone. There’s nothing that drives my friends and family crazier than me checking my blackberry every five seconds and they’re not afraid to tell me. Jerry Seinfield performed a great skit about his wife’s Blackberry usage and unusual behaviors on David Letterman.
He makes a valid point in that we would think it was rude if someone held up a newspaper and read it while we were talking to them but we seem to think it’s socially acceptable to scroll through emails on a Blackberry while someone is talking.
2 comments
Comments feed for this article
April 25, 2010 at 2:20 pm
Kevin
Blackberry Etiquette should be a course offered by corporate trainers. I have an iPhone but try to keep it put away during meetings. I have co-workers who will stare at their Blackberry and type away during meetings. It is rude.
May 5, 2010 at 1:28 am
Michele
Blackberrys should come with warning labels. Every person who doesn’t have one, says they don’t want one but as soon as they get one, they are addicted! While there are many benefits to a blackberry, I agree that people need to understand where to draw the line with them. I will always remember a story I was told about a co-worker who went on her honeymoon and her Husband didn’t want her checking her Blackberry while they were on their honeymoon as it was their escape from reality. The wife couldn’t escape from her blackberry so she would check her blackberry while she was hiding in the closet! Can you say addiction?!?!