Instead of trying to stamp out the use of cell phones in public why not examine what it would mean to fully embrace and encourage cell phone use in your public place of business. Since we are still in the shakeout phase(technically and sociologically) of the growth and development. The natural response to public cell phone use is resistance.

There have been more than a few examples of this resistance to cell phone use. Restaurants have established "no cell phone" sections. Amtrak and others offer "Quiet Cars" on their trains. Recently a meme has spread across the blogosphere aiming to equip individuals with small cards that people can pass to those deemed to be offending by talking too loudly on their cell phone. Vigilante shushing! Everywhere one turns there is pressure on public cellphone use.

Culture is changing and I don't think we can un-ring the bell. Our embrace of cellphones and their noise will need to change also. Over time behavior norms will emerge but it will take time.

Last week Textually.org pointed to a story about businesses in the Pittsburg, PA USA area who are posting signs asking their customers to refrain from using cellphones in their businesses. Incredulously a Subway sandwich shop worker is quoted saying that they ignore customers who are talking on their cell phones while in the restaurant.

Apparently there is a real problem here for businesses that interact with the public. Where there is a problem there is also an opportunity. If you have a business that interacts with cell phone occupied customers why not embrace them instead of angering them with attempted bans. Keeping customers is as important as attracting a steady stream of new customers.

Why not design a special sales process for customers using a cell phone? If it's an order taking process why must it be a verbal process? Why not add a picture menu at the counter allowing a multi-tasking customer to point to the items they want. (This is a solution I have often advocated for situations where there is a language difference between customer and order taking clerk.) At the bank how about a touch screen monitor that can display common questions tellers ask customers. Allow customers to answer verbally or via the touch screen. At Starbucks why not have a kiosk where cell phone users can punch in their own drink orders. Orders can go right to the baristas and to the cash register.

The opportunities abound. Bans won't work. People will be angered and offended by "banning" a behavior that they feel dependent upon. Bans do not educate people in new etiquette. Until technology and social practice adapt and catch-up with this sweeping new technology their will remain a real opportunity for businesses of all types who take the lead in adapting to the reality of customer behavior.

Just make it a little bit easier for customers to shop and interact with your business and you will be a big winner in repeat business and the recipient of good word of mouth.