Imagine this scenario for a second: You're at a networking event, and just met a wonderful, likable personality in your industry that has a lot to offer your company. After you suggest setting up a mutually beneficial partnership, they move to take down your info. Would you be put off if they reached for their iPhone and buried their gaze in the touch keyboard?
Because of their multi-tasking capabilities, smartphones (and their sizable older brother: the tablet) get a bad reputation. When you're tapping away on your iPhone or iPad's screen during a business meeting, it's unclear if you're taking notes, texting a friend about tonights plan or even brazenly playing a game of Angry Birds.
And so, we wondered if taking notes on your phone might seem rude to some. If you were on the other side of the scenario above, might it be better to reach for a sticky note and pen than your Blackberry?
Nah! We think it's fine to jot down quick notes on your phone or tablet. Just make sure you follow a few good-etiquette guidelines:
- Make sure the other person/people can see your screen. Nothing screams "I'm goofing off" like sheilding your screen. Show them that you're actually taking notes by making sure your screen is in eye shot.
- Offer to share your notes. A simple phrase like "Let me email this to you" will let people in on why you use your phone to take notes: It's a great tool to efficiently create, archive and share your notes.
- Keep the communication going. The biggest problem with smartphones? They seem to shorten their user's attention span. Let your partner(s) know that you're still engaged in the dialogue by speaking up and keeping the conversation moving.
What do you think? Is it rude to take notes on your phone? Or is this the 21st-century way of doing business? Let us know in the comments!
(Images: Flickr member Joi licensed for use under Creative Commons, Apple)
Small Cool Lessons: Discovering Small Space Design Ideas That Really Work
Marisa and Peter's Playfully Eclectic Home
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Sheex Bedding
Yuck: A Fourth Grader Reveals What School Lunches Really Look Like
How to Make Fresh Pasta Dough in the Food Processor
While reading at a coffee shop I watched a meeting take place between three people. One of the individuals was tapping on their iphone and apologized, saying, "I'm sorry, I'm taking meeting notes on my iphone". My vantage point on the couch allowed a clear visual of the phone. Apparently this person put their notes in the form of Facebook status updates and responses. I sincerely doubt the effectiveness of note taking on an iphone if it's anything more than a phone number, email, etc.
quick notes are ok on the phone, but be sure and say something like 'let me just get your e-mail' so people don't think you are blowing them off to play angry birds...
I usually don't jot down more than a few lines, or make an entry in "contacts". I usually turn the device around to show the screen to the other party for confirmation of info accuracy. I make a point at maintaining diverting of my attention to the other person to a minimum - but when I must, I make it clear that it's for our mutual benefit. Oh, it's good to keep talking while you're taking notes, too - it takes practice, but fewer raised eyebrows ;o)
(edit above) "or make an entry" --> "to make an entry" ...sorry.
I answered "no" yet still do it when I don't have pen/paper handy. Still feels very unprofessional.
Getting contact info, sure. Anything else is going to be hard to tap in quickly enough to keep up with the conversation... there are better solutions out there (tablet PCs, pen & paper, laptops)...
Yes, but I make it clear what I am doing. If someone is telling me about a cool book or restaurant, I want to write it down. I think it shows that I actually care. The trick is to honest and sincere. If you are saying you are taking notes or something, then take the note
Honestly, I'd be surprised if they pulled out a pad of paper and a pen. Who uses that any more? Giving a business card makes sense, but then I'd feel awkward because I don't have business cards to give in return.
If I'm with a person that is probably tech savvy (owns a smart phone, my age, etc) I generally let them type their own name in the phone when I'm adding them to contacts. That way there's no misspellings, and it's a convenient way to get someone's name if you forgot it!
I answered yes, but it depends on the situation. I still use a Moleskine notebook to jot down most of my notes, but from time to time I use my iPad with a stylus. Typing on the keyboard may seem unprofessional.
It's just a modern way to do it. I send myself email from my phone to keep things in outlook.