Don’t be caught committing cellular sins! Follow our expert rules to avoid being rude and annoying on your smart phone.
Put your phone away at the dinner table
This may seem obvious because, hello, it’s rude, but being courteous in public to both your dining partner and other diners is important, says Amy Rice, Gadget Expert for Gazelle. Parenting, etiquette, and financial expert Brett Graff adds, “If it rings, and you must answer it, explain to your dining companions that your child is home by him or herself or that you’re waiting for a huge business deal to close. Otherwise, ignore it,” she says.
End phone conversations when paying for purchases
Just because you may not know the cashier doesn’t mean you can keep chatting away while they’re helping you. Unless it’s an emergency, it’s just rude to stay on the phone right in their face.
Never shout when talking on the phone
Can you hear me now? If they can’t, maybe you should call them back later. When in public, try not to raise your voice while on the phone. No one else needs to be privy to your conversations—or your arguments says Rice.
Never text or talk and drive
This is an obvious one. Many states have laws in place regarding texting and talking on the phone while driving. Hint: It’s a big no-no.
Avoid texting in work meetings
You don’t want your boss looking up and seeing you texting away and completely ignoring what’s going on. Plus, if you’re the boss, it’s setting a bad example for your workers.
Turn off the phone in places such as a church, temple, or theater
Rice says there are no exceptions to this rule. There are just certain places where cell phones should be and often are off-limits. And remember, checking your phone and having it light up in a dark theater—even if you don’t talk, text, or Tweet—is just as rude.
Avoid talking on the phone in a waiting room, but if you must, leave the area first
Waiting rooms can be crowded and noisy—not exactly conducive to a phone call. If you must talk on the phone, Rice suggests leaving the area so as not to disturb your fellow waiting room occupants.
Avoid using a phone on public transportation
On public transportation, people are often stressed, rushing, or exhausted. All they want to do is get where they’re going, not listen to your conversation about your cousin’s new boyfriend’s sister. “Be courteous when you are in public, enjoy the moment and your friends, but above all be smart about your smartphone manners,” says Rice.
Lower your voice when using your phone in public
This one is a continuation of never shouting in public. Not only should you not shout, but you should automatically lower your voice. If you don’t want to hear other people’s phone conversations, they definitely don’t want to hear yours either.
Don’t take a call in the middle of a face-to-face conversation
“Cell phones can destroy all your interpersonal dealings,” says Graff. “You should not even give the screen a glance while you’re speaking to someone at a party or a dinner.” Sometimes it’s best to think of how would you feel if that happened to you? If it would bother you, then you probably shouldn’t do it to someone else.
