I like it Anthony.  All good points.  I like #2 use your inside voice, so many Realtors get into the shouting mode over their headset it becomes uncomfortable for everyone around them.  Thanks for the reminders.

Thank you for the suggestions.  # 7 is especially important.  It is very disconcerting to carry on a conversation with someone that has their blue tooth on their ear.  There is a feeling that they will talk with me only until their next call comes in.  Good post.

Anthony, I finally broke down and got one of these.  Although I think they look pretty dorky, they do come in handy when driving.  Much more difficult when using these outside of the car.  I will oftentimes approach people who I think are trying to ask me something or strike up a conversation, only to find out they are gabbing on the phone.  Pretty embarrassing!  I think these will have a chilling effect on socializing.  People will become unwilling to engage someone else, for fear they are talking on their headset.

I am with Stefan! Cell phones in general have killed real life socializing.  People go out to restaurants and places to "relax" and constantly pick up their phone, ignore their guests at the table and the wait staff.  It is embarrassing to them, IMHO. 

My bluetooth is for when I am in the car or when I am doing an activity that needs two hands - like computer searches while I am on the phone.  For the most part you won't see me with my bluetooth unless I forgot to take it off after driving.  I can drive and talk at the same time :)

FYI:  Situational awareness happens when people are on their cell phones, no blue tooth necessary.  I am sure you clients would LOVE to know that you just talked about their escrow to the whole entire restaurant you are in :)  It's about common sense.  As far as situational awareness while driving in my car and on my bluetooth - I am an animated talker and I get people staring at me at lights.  I wave hi and sometimes blow a kiss :)

I'm just getting used to a cell phone and have been introduced to the blue tooth! I'm seriously thinking of getting one.  Your etiquette rules are great - I will be sharing them with my friends and colleagues, especially with the one that I keep having a one-sided conversation with. More than once I thought she was talking to me. You'd think I'd get it by now!!

I so agree with Stefan and Renee about loss of socializing.  I was walking behind three pre-teens and each one was carrying on a conversation - not with each other but on their own personal cells.  I'm sure they thought it was cool but How sad is this? While I'm at it - I have heard many a private conversation that I didn't want to hear - in the card store; at motor vehicles; at restaurants; at work.....    I try to remove myself but it's hard to find a space where no one is on the phone.  Now I'm becoming obsessed with looking for drivers who are NOT on their phones!   My goodness I need to get a life!!

I have one more rule to add.... If you must have an extended phone conversation while in a store, please do not walk up to a store employee and start talking in their direction, then treat them rudely for responding to your questions!!!  I had a woman walk up to me at the jewelry counter at Macy's several years ago, before these headsets were popular, and she began asking all these questions.  I got very flustered and tried to answer as best I could, only to have her glare at me, turn her head, and continue the conversation in front of me.  I then had to read her mind and find her some bracelets to try on, while she continued whatever business call she was on.  I was first quite embarrassed and then very annoyed!!

I second Samantha's notion!  I worked in a restaurant.  People are on their phones, their bluetooths, their PDA's and they don't even pay attention to what is going on.  They order while they are on their phones, bluetooths and PDAs and then get all bent out of shape because they didn't order correctly and it somehow becomes everyone's fault but their own.  Communication is whack these days!

Thanks for the comments, I knew there would be people to sympathize with me on this.   While I do use the technology, I am still a bit annoyed by people that can't function without it (and honestly can't seem to to function normally while using it either!).

If you think these rules may help some people with their Bluetooth manners, please pass this link on!!

Let's see if we can actually make people aware that constantly jabbering into their earpieces is getting on our nerves!   

Along the same lines.... Has THIS Ever happened to you?

Click to Play Bluetooth Video  (Disclaimer: It's a beer commercial - please note I am not promoting the beer...)

 Great Article, Anthony and very helpful comments by everyone. Renee, I definitely agree about how rude it is for people to be on the phone while at the same time try to order or pay for an item. I would also like to get a bluetooh, but only for the car. I really have no need to walk around with this in my ear all of the time.

Everytime I see someone with a Bluetooth piece I think they have been assilimated into Star Trek's Borg. For me to resist that "look" is not so futile.