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Should You Send That Midnight Text? 11 Essential Rules for Phone Etiquette
What about using voice notes, or calling someone totally unannounced? Experts give their verdict on how to use your phone without causing offence
TL;DR
- Phones should be switched off in environments like theatres and cinemas where they disrupt others' experiences.
- Phones should be kept off the table and out of sight in restaurants, and turned off to avoid distraction.
- If expecting an urgent call, inform companions and take the call away from the communal area.
- Loud phone calls or loudspeaker use in public is inconsiderate, forcing others to listen.
- All non-essential phone sounds like ringtones and keypad bleeps should be turned off in public.
- Headphones are essential for listening to phone content in public, and should be removed when interacting with others.
- Voice notes can be acceptable depending on the relationship and content, but should generally be kept short.
- Texting hours should respect the recipient's time; schedule messages for appropriate times, especially for work-related content.
- A grace period of a business day is acceptable for replying to texts, or inform the sender if a quick response is not possible.
- Calling someone, particularly younger generations, without prior warning can be seen as invasive; a text beforehand is often preferred.
- Generational differences in text communication, such as punctuation and emoji use, can lead to misinterpretations; important tones might be better conveyed by phone calls.