Twitterquette = twitter ettiquette
Last week, Jon and Indra treated our office to a wine and beer pairing at Taste Cheese in Hillcrest. We were treated to 5 flights of some of the most unique and well-paired beers and cheeses from across the globe. A short presentation preceded each paring with interesting tidbits and facts. You can catch one here – but something is wrong with this picture. Who can name it?
Nobody’s listening. Everyone is twittering.
We love twitter at Bailey Gardiner. We tweet day and night. This cheese and beer class was worthy of a few tweets, indeed. But what happens when you put a lot of twitter-happy people in one room? Attention drifts. I’m not here to throw anyone under the bus, in fact I’m jealous of my colleagues’ twitter-friendly phones and may have done the same myself if I’d had internet. Rather, I’d like to point out, at the expense of my dear coworkers (sorry, and thanks), that twitter should have a set of etiquette rules too. This just seems like the right time to point it out, for the chance that one day it’s not me at the table, and instead it’s a client, a potential business partner…or your mom.
So I offer these tips of twitterquette:
- Consider this: Is your outstanding online network costing you your face-to-face quality time? Try tweeting after the event or on your way to the restroom. Those around you may not know you’re tweeting about their awesome class, and may be offended that you’re so bored you’re checking your email or texting.
- Is everyone else tweeting the same thing? let them have it. Chances are you’re in the same network anyway, so a simple RT after the event will suffice.
- If a small enough venue, let the presenter know in advance if you plan to tweet the whole time to be sure they don’t get offended.
- You wouldn’t attempt to hold a conversation with someone in person while having one on the phone. While many are good at multitasking, the conversation is interrupted when a phone comes out. Just as you would excuse yourself for a quick phone call, excuse yourself for a quick tweet too.
- Don’t stop. Just remember to take those around you into consideration and find the best time to do it.
Do you have other suggestions?
I am a bathroom tweeter! I mean, if you’re stuck waiting in line, or once you, um, sit down, its the perfect time to compose a well thought out tweet without offending those around you.
Great advice.
Couldn’t Agree More! As your communication coach I say remember not to get too connected that you become disconnected with the people in the room as well as those in your life!
There’s a couple of things to remember here. Real people who are right in front of you always deserve your full attention and shouldn’t have to take a back seat to twitter, cell phone call, e-mail, etc.
A good rule of thumb is don’t use your Blackberry, i-phone, etc. any place that you wouldn’t do a crossword. If you’re in a meeting, would you pull out a crossword and start working on it?