Follow our expert phone etiquette rules to avoid being rude and annoying on your smartphone.
1. Put your phone away at the dinner table
This phone etiquette rule 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.
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2. 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.
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3. 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, it’s a good phone etiquette practice to 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.
Have a habit of shouting at people? Follow on for our self-test questionnaire to find out if you have a hearing problem.