I was in a Board meeting recently where three different phones rang loudly over the course of about ten minutes. In all cases, the person speaking politely continued, not wanting to embarrass the owner of each totally distracting loud phone. This is unfortunate because I missed several sentences and I’m sure I was not the only one.

I know one of the people was expecting an important call. That happens and I trust people to use good judgment about that. His phone was out on the table where he could not miss the vibration and the sudden bright image. Why did he also need full sound?

I also understand that accidents happen. Busy people may need the ringer on occasionally and forgetting to turn it off is an occupational hazard. However, if you are someone who periodically puts the ringer on, what should go through your head the instant someone else’s phone rings? And if not the first time, how about when you hear the second ring?

Are ringing phones becoming so common that people think it is OK? Is it no longer considered totally disrespectful to create loud disturbances when a roomful of people are trying to listen to a speaker? I hope that is not the case. If it is, the offenders need to be embarrassed. Instead of continuing politely, I recommend everyone stop, turn, and stare with mouth open until silence returns. We all lose if civil behavior embraces such thoughtlessness.