You learned that the people in front of you come first. As an adult you carry the phone into meals, meetings, performances, trains and waiting rooms. The rule is the same; the places multiply.
Key idea
Silence the phone at meals, meetings and performances. Step away to take a call. Keep speakerphone, videos and music off in shared spaces unless you use headphones.
Why it works
A ringing phone or a glance at a screen tells the person in front of you that someone else might matter more. In shared spaces such as a bus, a waiting room or a theater, your sound becomes everyone's sound, and they cannot step away from it. Silencing the phone and stepping aside for calls keeps your conversations from becoming other people's burden.
| Place | The courteous habit |
|---|---|
| A meal with others | Phone silenced and out of sight; step away if you must take a call |
| A meeting or class | Silenced; check it only at a break |
| A concert, play, movie or service | Off or silenced, screen dark the whole time |
| A bus, train or waiting room | Headphones for sound; short, quiet calls |
| A store checkout | End the call and talk with the cashier |
Worked example: An important call at dinner
Kofi is waiting for a call from his sister, who is at the hospital having a baby. He is at a dinner with friends. What should he do?
- He tells his friends at the start: "I may get a call from my sister; I'll step out if it comes."
- He keeps the phone silenced on vibrate and out of the way.
- If it rings, he excuses himself and takes it away from the table.
Answer: Warn them ahead, and step away to take it.
Worked example: Checkout line
Hana is on a call when she reaches the front of the checkout line. What should she do?
- The cashier is a person working with her right now.
- She says, "I'll call you back," ends the call, and greets the cashier.
Answer: End the call and talk with the cashier.
Common mistake
Thinking a phone face-down on the table is fine everywhere. Many hosts feel any phone on the table says "you might be interrupted." At casual meals customs vary; at formal ones it stays away. Quick check: is there a reason to have it out? If not, put it away.