CA –
I am all for spiritual growth. However, I can not relate to the baseless, groundless, and unfounded “feel-good” emotional gestures which effect no real, lasting spiritual growth, but which consume much of the energy of many a well-meaning individual who seeks true advancement of character.
The impression I got from the OP was that her friend, without any guidance or direction by a Rebbe or other spiritual mentor, determined that talking on a cellphone in public is not within the parameters of tznius. It seemed to me also that this was implemented in a way which exuded a holier than thou attitude, as evidenced by the complaints of the OP.
Of course, I realize that she was not forced to act in this way. My point was that [based on my perception of the story] she seems to have adopted a very superficial and misguided approach to the concept of tznius, albeit altruistically. Please excuse my hyperbole; I was simply trying to make a point.