Addicted To Email

Related Links:
Video: The Joy of Text                    
BlackBerry Bold Is On The Way: Here Is Where Your Old Phone Should
Besides The New iMac, Some Upgrades To Consider Right Now

Dinner and a movie and a quick glance at your inbox.

According to the fourth annual Email Addiction Survey conducted by AOL Mail and Beta Research, 25% of the 4,000 participants admit to checking email while on a date. But it doesn’t stop after paying the check.

Results from the survey released Wednesday say users have brought email into new domains, logging on in the bathroom, bedroom and restaurants. Sixteen percent of respondents say the BlackBerry (RIMM) is their tool of choice.

Have users’ emailing habits crossed the line from convenient to compulsive? Judith Kallos, “Email Etiquette Expert” and author of Because ‘NETIGUETTE’ Matters and E-mail Etiquette Made Easy, says “everyone seems to be shocked about the results, but really, it’s stating the obvious. As a society, we’ve moved away from the perception value of [proper use of these services] and kind of forgotten that we shouldn’t be checking our email during a business meeting or a dinner.”

So, exactly where does all this emailing take place?

In the Bedroom:
The Lowest: Denver (50%)
The Highest: Phoenix (80%) 

While Eating in Restaurants:
The Lowest: Philadelphia (46%)
The Highest: Detroit (80%)

While Driving:
The Lowest: Seattle (38%)
The Highest: Cleveland (80%)

On a Date:
The Lowest: Denver (11%)
The Highest: Washington, D.C. and Orlando tie (32%)

During Happy Hour:
The Lowest: Chicago (18%)
The Highest: Minneapolis (55%)

And what may be most shocking…

At Church (in the eyes of God!):
The Lowest: Miami (3%)
The Highest: Houston and Tampa tie (30%)

Before judging these statistics, Kallos suggests people assess their own email and texting habits.

“It’s like watching a person eat a foot-long sub and saying, ‘how gross,’ when they ate one yesterday,” she says. Even the idea of checking emails in church shouldn’t be shocking. “We all know when it’s not ok to use our gadgets,” she says. “Many people just choose to ignore their better judgment and focus on their wants and priorities.”

But before you jump online, consider its potential effect on your personal life. “Not everyone is born with strong interpersonal skills,” Kallos says. “And for people who aren’t, the only way to improve that is by getting out in the world and interacting with people, face to face. Not hiding behind your ‘CrackBerry.’”