Nov. 10--Well, at least many Chicagoans realize they're being rude when they tap out a text during dinner.
The recently released Trends in Consumer Mobility Report from Bank of America surveyed 1,000 respondents over age 18 across the country, as well as an additional 300 from Chicago. Chicagoans admitted to some bad habits when it came to their smartphones, but they also acknowledged that there are limits on where using that extra appendage is acceptable.
Nearly three of four respondents from the Chicago area -- 73 percent -- said they indeed had mobile boundaries: Movie theaters, religious institutions, restaurants and public bathrooms were cited as the most annoying places to pull out a phone.
But an awareness of mobile manners doesn't always stop people from getting pulled to the dark side by a device's allure.
Of the Chicagoans surveyed, 38 percent confessed to texting during a meal. And 35 percent said they would field a call while on public transportation. Even while in a conversation with another person, 34 percent fessed up to looking down to check their phone.
"It's a sad fact that most people can't part with their cellphones for a least an hour to be fully engaged with family and friends," said etiquette expert Jacqueline Whitmore, founder of The Protocol School of Palm Beach.
The survey reported that 24 percent of Chicagoans said they used mobile banking to spy on the spending habits of others, including their parents, children or partner; this compared with 13 percent for respondents nationally. Other phone faux pas Chicagoans admitted to included going through someone else's phone (19 percent) and multitasking on a phone during meetings (29 percent).
More than half (51 percent) of Chicago respondents said they were unable to last a day without their smartphone, compared with 44 percent nationally.
Perhaps that's why some might be holding smartphones closer than their significant others -- about three-quarters (73 percent) of Chicagoans reported sleeping with their mobile phones, and 38 percent said it was the first thing they reached for in the morning.
Yes, that's ahead of reaching for a plus-one (11 percent).
abowen@trippub.com
