For Subscribers

Test Your Mobile Manners Shall we learn from Tiger and Favre? Take our six-point quiz to avoid a messy mishap.

By Jason Ankeny Edited by Frances Dodds

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Reckless mobile device use is a growing epidemic that threatens the very fabric of American life (just ask Tiger Woods or Brett Favre). Since you need to pass a written test to drive a car, operate heavy machinery and perform other everyday tasks, we decided there should be one to encourage more responsible mobile phone usage. Will you pass or fail?

1. You are meeting an important client for dinner when your mobile handset rings. You
a. Send the call to voicemail
b. Step away from the table to take the call
c. Say, "Hang on, my bookie's on the phone"

2. You are driving to the airport when an employee calls. You
a. Accept the call using a hands-free headset
b. Pull the car over and take the call
c. Keep one hand on the wheel while typing a text message that reads, "Can't talk--driving"

3. You are sitting down with a prospective client when your phone's Jimi Hendrix ringtone interrupts the conversation. You
a. Apologize
b. Make light of the situation
c. Seize the moment to show off your air guitar skills

4.You agree to meet with a longtime client using the iPhone's FaceTime video chat service. You open the call by saying:
a. "You're right--this is much better than voice calling!"
b. "Isn't technology amazing?"
c. "Wow--you've gained a ton of weight!"

5. You buy a smartphone expressly to show off
a. Your startup's new mobile app
b. Your company's new mobile website
c. Video clips of your cat, Mr. Snugglesworth

6. You use your phone to check in at a new restaurant via Four-square, constantly update your location on Facebook and tweet details of your meal on Twitter. You are
a. A product of the social media generation
b. Deeply connected to the virtual world
c. Self-absorbed

Chicago-based writer Jason Ankeny is the executive editor of Fiercemobile content, a daily electronic newsletter dedicated to mobile media, applications and marketing.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Business News

AI Could Cause 99% of All Workers to Be Unemployed in the Next Five Years, Says Computer Science Professor

Professor Roman Yampolskiy predicted that artificial general intelligence would be developed and used by 2030, leading to mass automation.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Business News

Mark Zuckerberg 'Insisted' Executives Join Him For a MMA Training Session, According to Meta's Ex-President of Global Affairs

Nick Clegg, Meta's former president of global affairs, says in a new book that he once had to get on the mat with a coworker.

Buying / Investing in Business

Big Investors Are Betting on This 'Unlisted' Stock

You can join them as an early-stage investor as this company disrupts a $1.3T market.

Social Media

How To Start a Youtube Channel: Step-by-Step Guide

YouTube can be a valuable way to grow your audience. If you're ready to create content, read more about starting a business YouTube Channel.