Hello, and welcome to the Modern Manners Guy’s Quick and Dirty Tips for a More Polite Life.

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Many listeners have written in with questions about mobile phone etiquette. We may not be able to cover everything in one episode, so please feel free to send in more questions for a follow up show.

Many people seem to take that <ring> sound as call to turn from Dr. Jekyll to Mr. Hyde, in terms of manners. So let’s go through a few basics of polite cell phone use.

If you’re at a restaurant or dining at home with friends, turn off your ringer and don’t answer or make calls. If there is an urgent situation and you must place a call, excuse yourself from the table and either go outside or to a discreet area outside the restrooms. The inside of a restroom is not a good place for phone conversations.

If there is an emergency situation, or you must immediately talk with someone to coordinate the logistics for the rest of the evening, then ask permission or inform your dining companions that you may have to take a call, and let them know the reason. This should only be for time-critical and important calls. Speak as briefly and as quietly as possible, excuse yourself from the table if the call is going to be longer than a few sentences, and then turn your phone off after the conversation. Restaurants, and dinner tables in general, are for enjoying your meal and the company of those dining with you; they are not public phone booths.

If you are out on the street by yourself, you should feel comfortable talking on the phone, but try to keep your voice down and be mindful of where you are walking. If you are out walking with a friend, it is probably acceptable to answer the phone, but excuse yourself and keep your call as brief as possible. Don’t be shy about telling the caller you are with someone, and that you don’t want to stay on the phone and be rude.

If you are in a store, use some judgment about phone calls. It is generally better to step outside if you are going to be on the phone for more than a few seconds, and certainly don’t answer the phone if you are going to hold up the line or interrupt customer service for others.

If you are at the gym, then leave your phone in a locker, or move to a waiting area if you must take a call, and always keep your phone off if you are in a theater, museum, or lecture hall.

On public transportation, use your judgment. It is not likely that your fellow passengers are interested in listening to your conversation, so keep your voice low and chat only if you can do so without disturbing anyone around you. If you cannot find a secluded set of seats to speak quietly, then it is better to call back later when you have a little more privacy.

Being a businessperson does not give you license to be ill-mannered, whether you are around other CEOs or the server at a local coffee shop. And business situations (such as meetings) do not warrant an approach to phone conversations that is any different from dining in a restaurant.

Bluetooth headsets, although very convenient, are not fashion accessories. If you were having a conversation with someone in person, it is not likely that you would wear a set of headphones, so please take off your headset..

In general, unless it is an urgent situation, treat your cell phone as a useful tool rather than an appendage.

Listeners can go to Audible.com/manners to receive a free Audiobook download when signing up today.  I remember the time I drove cross country, and I can promise you that audiobooks are a great way to make long drives more enriching and less tiresome, whether across the country or on your way to work.  Again go to Audible.com/manners for your free Audiobook!

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