Because we all drive, walk down the street, ride the CTA and use cell phones, here is a list of common personas you should avoid when using your favorite gadget. While some of these may annoy the people around you, there are others that simply make you look like an idiot. You know who you are, so STOP IT!

1. iPod Rockstars - iPods aren't the only mp3 players out there so this goes for everyone with a portable music device. When you are near other people in public, like when riding the CTA, please reduce your volume levels so that people on the outside can't hear your death-metal. If we can hear it coming from your headphones, chances are it is far too loud and you are ruining your hearing. And, please remember that your morning commute to the Loop isn't a concert, so headbanging, air-guitaring, air-drumming and moshing are NOT acceptable.
2. Voicemail Bandit - With the modern advent of caller ID, there should never be a reason for you to leave a "Hey, call me back" voicemail. For many people, voicemail is too much of a hassle to dial into just to hear you tell them what they already knew from their missed calls list. This is especially bad if you have a phone that reminds you of new voice mails every 30 seconds. Leave the secretary work up to the missed callers list.
3. Walk and Talks - In most cases, walking whilst talking on your cell phone is completely acceptable – As long as it doesn't involve loud talking, flailing arms, sudden stopping, or foot traffic barricading. I was walking directly behind a girl that was talking on her cell phone once, and her conversation was getting heated. At one point, the girl actually stopped mid-stride to throw her hand up and exclaim 'OH MY GOD!" as if the person were walking along side her. Because of the abrupt stop, I ran into the back of her. Then, she had the nerve to turn around and tell me to watch where I was going. The girl was displaying borderline sociopathic behavior. These people commonly are the kind that talk on the phone too loud in public as well.
4. Drive and Talks - Along the same lines as those who can’t seem to walk and talk on their cell phones, there are some that go a step further and put the safety of themselves and others in jeopardy. Cars, when used improperly, are dangerous machines and using a cell phone while driving only adds to the probability that you will do something wrong. This is a law on the books for very good reason – obey it. According to this article from Live Science, over 2,600 people die each year in cell-phone related accidents. That’s almost as bad as driving drunk. Please Chicago, hang up and drive.
5. Shutterbugs - While I realize the tourist scene in Chicago isn't going to change any time soon and the guilty parties probably won't read this, I feel as though I must mention this tech no-no. If you must take pictures of yourself, the people you are with, a building, or anything else our beautiful city has to offer, please do so with respect to those around you. We don't mind that you are taking pictures, what we don't like is that you insist on doing so directly in the middle of a busy sidewalk. Or, worse yet, snapping photos while walking and bumping into everything.
6. FWD Spammers - Although they may not be part of international SPAM ring, a Viagra salesman or an identity thief, FWD spammers are part of the world’s spam email epidemic. Most email filters will catch solicitations and other SPAM, but because you know and email a FWD spammer, they are probably considered a “trusted contact” in the eyes of your email service. Because of that status, every email – regardless of stupidity – will find its way to your inbox. You know, they are the ones with subject lines that go something like FWD>fwd>fwd>FWD>’Oh my god, this is so funny’! You are just one in the long chain of stupidity – have some sense and be the first to stop the incessant forwarding.
7. Emotipeople - You all know one – they are the person that not only uses emoticabulary in instant messaging conversation, but in EVERY aspect of life. This includes the use of “emoticons” and IM language like K, RLY?, THX, OMG, ROFLMAO and other variants. This kind of language is perfectly acceptable in instant massaging and nowhere else – especially in regular verbal conversation. There is absolutely no need to spell out emotions or thoughts when physically talking to someone. Some good examples are “We are B.F.F.” or “P.S. I’m here like 24-7.” Emotipeople also use the conversation in emails, massage forums, chat rooms, and other places online. It’s the equivalent to written or verbal diarrhea. It’s not okay to say ‘O rly? well she sez ur rly ugly n im like wtf u r 2 so STFU :-P’ – please leave the abbreviated language in your IM client.

And there you have it. Avoid these personas and you’ll make it through the day without looking like a bumbling idiot. I’m sure I’ve missed a couple here, so sound off on your favorite tech-peeves below! K THX BYE!

photo by Claudecf

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Blake Schnitkey
As a graduate in Visual Communications Technology from Bowling Green State University in Ohio, Blake was drawn into a love for technology via the biggest passion in his lif More