How to Practice Cell Phone Etiquette

Co-authored by Tami Claytor

Last Updated: June 5, 2023

Rude cellphone users are anywhere that there's a cell phone signal. Most people who are being impolite don't even realize what they're doing. Could that be you?

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It is not other people's responsibility to cope with your mobile phone use; it is your responsibility to use your mobile phone inoffensively. Please note that "inoffensively" is not defined by what you expect others to tolerate, but by what others do in fact find offensive. Ignore this principle, and you are sure to be rude.
Assume that someone who asks you to turn your cell phone (or audio player) down or off is in good faith, and you should comply in good faith. They have a reason for asking, and it's probably not that they're trying to dominate you or hassle you or restrict your God-given right to free expression. (For example, people with temporal lobe epilepsy may find that certain sounds trigger seizures, and some people have neurosensory issues that cause extraneous noise to be a severe difficulty rather than a mild annoyance.)

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If possible, keep a 10-foot (3 meter) distance between you and anyone else whenever you talk on your phone. Most people do not want to hear what you're talking about.
They can still hear you (because it's an enclosed space) and usually, they're forced to just sit there and listen (and maybe be annoyed to some extent).
Generally you don't have to shout in the microphone to be heard on the other end. In fact, doing so often makes it harder for you to be understood. In addition, shouting on the phone disrupts people around you.
Just as many people do not want to hear your end of the conversation, they don't want to hear the other person's either.
Personal is just that: personal. If callers want to talk about personal details, tell them that you will call them back later, move someplace where you can have a little privacy, or switch to text messaging.
. Avoid making calls while driving, shopping, banking, waiting in line, or doing almost anything that involves interacting with other human beings. In some situations it puts your life and the lives of others in danger, and in other situations it can bother some people.
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Know where not to use your phone. Some places are inappropriate for cell phone usage, so avoid talking on your cell phone or having it ring while in the following places:
- School
- Work
- Bathrooms
- Elevators
- Hospitals
- Waiting rooms
- Restaurants
- Auditoriums
- Taxicabs
- Buses
- Trains
- Meetings
- Libraries
- Museums
- Places of worship
- Lectures
- Live performances
- Funerals
- Weddings
- Movie theaters
- While visiting relatives
- Airplanes
  - Or, in fact, anywhere else where people are likely to be disturbed, unless it is important and you can't go anywhere.
Ideally, you should turn it off entirely. If you're anticipating an important call, let the person you're with know beforehand that you're expecting a call that you'll need to take. No matter what, don't hold a conversation at the table; step away and don't stay away any longer than you would for a bathroom break. Never text at the table, even if the face-to-face conversation dies down. It will be seen as disrespectful.
Even if your phone is on vibrate, people can hear it during quiet parts of the movie. The light from your phone's screen is also very distracting. Don't check the time, don't check your text messages; just turn it off until the movie is over. If you get an important call that you must answer, exit the theatre before taking it.
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Learn to text. When you're in an enclosed space, or you can't put yourself 10 feet out of everyone's way, it's inappropriate to talk but it's potentially acceptable to receive and send text messages. In such cases, keep the following rules of texting etiquette in mind:
- Use the vibrate feature instead of an audible text alert.
- Only text when you're standing still or sitting and out of anyone's way. Don't text while you walk or drive.
- Don't text while doing anything that requires you to be attentive, such as waiting at an intersection for the pedestrian signal.
- Don't text while at a meeting or conference. You should give the speaker your undivided attention.
- Limit phone use during gatherings with your friends. Some friends (with or without cell phones) will find it annoying and inconsiderate.
- Avoid sending others text messages containing anything that you would not say in real life. It is very hard to convey tones and sarcasm in texting and email, so realize that some things may come across as sounding unusual or even offensive. Never send a message with sexual overtones, or one that could be construed as a threat.
- Avoid ending text messaging abruptly––end a text conversation by keeping the recipient informed with a polite excuse to cover your intention end the chat.

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Question

Is it rude to take a phone call in the middle of a face-to-face conversation?

Community Answer

Usually, it is impolite if you're mid conversation. It might not considered wrong if it is an important conversation that is urgent or you've pre-warned the other person about, but if it is not urgent or very important, then put your phone away and turn it down. However, don't make the person you're actually with feel unimportant.

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I was at an exclusive restaurant and forgot to shut my cellphone off. A friend sent 4 rapid fire texts wanting to know where I was, why I had not called her, and for me to call right away. What would have been the best way to handle the situation?

Community Answer

Excuse yourself as soon as possible and take your phone with you, ideally hiding it in a purse or pocket. It won't draw too much attention, and this method will stop it from happening again.

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Is it ignorant to keep texting if I am with my girlfriend shopping or on a simple car ride?

Community Answer

It would be better if you spent time with your girlfriend and show her that you love her. You can always text that person another time. In a car ride, talk to your girlfriend rather than texting other people.

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Tips

Make sure that there is no sound associated with striking the keys. Although texting is non-invasive, incessant sounds made while pressing each key can be unnerving for others. The key tone can be raised, lowered, or disabled on many phones.

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There are certain situations where you can simply silence your phone, and others where it is better to leave it off. Silence your phone in meetings, appointments, and social gatherings. Turn your phone off in very formal areas, such as fancy restaurants, and especially religious gatherings.

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Moderate your ring volume. If your phone is within twelve inches of you, it's doubtful you will need the ring volume at it's highest level.

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Warnings

Don't take pictures of others without asking them first. Never, under any circumstances, take or send a sexually-explicit picture.

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Talking or texting on the phone while driving is very dangerous, and in some places are illegal. Don't do it.

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Be aware that using a hands-free headset or earpiece while driving can be just as distracting as holding the phone to talk. The human brain is simply not designed to concentrate on more than one thing at a time. If you are trying to hold a conversation with someone who is a long way away, then your attention is not on the road. Be extremely careful, and opt for only emergency use.

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If in a medical office, hospital, or airplane, your phone could negatively affect the equipment. You should turn it off in these places. Alternatively, your phone may have an option called Airplane Mode which prevents it from communicating with the cell towers, which is what disrupts such equipment. You won't be able to send or receive calls or text/media messages, or go online, but you can still use the camera, media player, calendar, or other features.

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