Phone bling speaks. Cell decorations tell about one's personality


"It's hard to think of a more personal item than our wireless phone," says Dawn Bratton, a communications consultant for Verizon Wireless based in Indianapolis. "It's really become an extension of one's entire personality."

Bratton has been a data specialist for the wireless industry for 12 years. She's watched an entire industry develop into a cultural force. She works with 17 wireless stores in the Midwest and lots of other independent agents who sell phones, service plans and accessories.

"The wireless phone is so much more than a communications device," she says. "It's now as much a fashion statement as the clothes we wear. People use the phone to show off their personality." How else to explain phone bling?

"Bling is very hot right now," she says. "Bling is decorating the wireless phone."

Like what Bratton has done with her Treo 700 smartphone. She's "blinged it up" with stick-on diamonds that encircle the screen.

Why would she do that?

"Cause it's just me," she says.

Bratton is not the typical blingster. Most, she said, are girls or young women between 10 and 25. Besides turning their phones into jewelry, others use interchangeable faceplates and decals to customize the color and look of their phones.

Bratton is in her 50s, married, with two grown children and a young granddaughter. Her job for Verizon is to keep track of wireless trends and advise dealers and customers.

What does her choice about using a Treo 700 with e-mail and Internet capabilities, as well as its synchronization features with Microsoft computer software, say about her?

"That I'm very busy and need to be organized and that I very much want to be on the early learning curve for new tech."

Verizon's Dawn Bratton, who keeps tabs on the culture of cell phones, says:


If you have a flip phone: You like being in control and you are worried about accidentally calling someone. You don't want to make accidental calls.


If you have a candy bar style phone: You're the old-fashioned type. Simplicity is your style. You don't need to spend money.


If you have a RAZR phone: You have a strong sense of style. You're a trendsetter and you don't mind being center of attention. You have flair.


If you have a PDA phone: You are tech oriented. You embrace new things. You're a multi-tasker and demanding. You thrive on being in charge and organized.


If you have ring-back tones: You are fun-spirited and want your callers to have fun. You care about people and want them to feel good. You're a people pleaser and young or young at heart.


If you have ring tones: You dare to be different. You are not concerned what people say, are hip to music and like making a statement about yourself.


If you text message: You love being in touch everywhere and anytime, even when you shouldn't, like at meetings. You can be elusive. You like having people wonder what you're up to.


If you have more than three games on your phone: You don't like downtime. You get bored very easily. Your mind doesn't slow down, and you relax by always being busy.


If you use your phone as a camera: You enjoy spontaneity. You probably send postcards to friends and family from every vacation spot. Your life is an open book and you use the camera to share it.


If you play music on your phone: You are trendy and like it that even teenagers think you're hip. You're uncomplicated. Music defines you.


If you have phone charms or bling your phone: You're probably a female between 10 and 25. You're into cutting-edge fashion and jewelry and have a distinctive, fun and silly style.


If you carry your phone in a carrying case: You are a very active type. You love the outdoors. You'll get your get hands dirty, but not your phone. You also might be the clumsy type and have learned from sad experience to protect your gizmos.

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