Cell Phone Etiquette
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Screen Your Calls
Limit Cell Phone Use
Take a Break from Texting
Be Aware of Your Behavior
Keep Conversations Private
Choose Ringtones Wisely
Turn it Off
Use Your Manners
Topics
Cell Phone Etiquette
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You do not have to answer your phone every time it
rings. You have voice mail. You can return the call
later.
 If you are engaged in a conversation, it is rude to cut
off the person in front of you and answer your
phone.
 If you are driving, it is dangerous to you and those
around you to fiddle with finding your phone and
answering a call. Pull over to a parking lot or other
safe place and return the call.
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Screen Your Calls
Cell Phone Etiquette
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Do not talk or text when driving. Even when you talk
using hands-free devices, you cannot concentrate
fully on driving.
 Do not talk in restrooms.
 Do not talk while waiting in a checkout line.
 Stay off the phone when dropping off or picking up a
person, such as your child at school. Give him or her
your full attention and a proper hello or good-bye.

Limit Cell Phone Use
Cell Phone Etiquette
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Do not check messages or e-mails when in business
meetings or at dinner with family or friends. It is
rude, and it can wait. Give the people around you
your full attention.
 Do not text in a movie theater or other quiet places.
 Do not send personal texts at work.
 Do not send bad news in a text message.
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Take a Break from Texting
Cell Phone Etiquette
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You do not need to speak loudly into a cell phone.
Use your inside voice.
 If you are in a public place, put some distance
between yourself and those around you for privacy.
Be discreet and keep your call brief.
 Stay alert to your surroundings when talking on the
phone and walking to avoid bumping into someone,
stepping into the path of danger, or making yourself
vulnerable to being mugged or attacked.
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Be Aware of Your Behavior
Cell Phone Etiquette
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People do not want to hear arguments or intimate
details of your life. Keep your voice down, find a
secluded location, and keep your distance from
others when talking.
 Most sensitive conversations can wait until you are
in a private area or until you see the person face to
face.
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Keep Conversations Private
Cell Phone Etiquette
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Choose a ringtone that you will recognize easily.
 Don’t choose a ringtone that would embarrass you if
it rings when you are at work or in other
professional settings.
 Learn to adjust the volume setting for your ring so
that it is appropriate for your location.
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Choose Ringtones Wisely
Cell Phone Etiquette
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Turn off your cell phone in movie theaters,
classrooms, hospitals, and in restaurants, and before
entering meetings--especially job interviews.
 Turn off your phone at funerals, weddings, libraries,
museums, places of worship, and on airplanes when
the flight attendant instructs you to do so.

Turn it Off
Cell Phone Etiquette
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If you must make a call or take a call, excuse yourself.
Go outside or find an area where you can speak in
private and keep it short.
 If you are expecting an important call, inform the
people you are with in advance that you might have
to take the call.

Use Your Manners
Cell Phone Etiquette
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