The Basic Rules of Cellphone Etiquette

The Basic Rules of Cellphone Etiquette by Denise McCluggage

This article lays out rules of cellphone etiquette and makes suggestions. For example, the section about cell phone use in restaurants says:

• "Ask if there are special restrictions on phone use.

• Initiate only essential calls.

• Keep conversations brief to terse. Use an at-table call primarily to make an appointment for a more appropriate time for a call-back.

• If you simply must be available you can put your phone on "vibrate" - say for your anticipated dinner companion to tell you that he is caught in traffic like a grape in aspic so have another drink. (If your phone does not have a vibrate capability maybe it's time for a new one.)

• Practice speaking in a quiet conversational tone. If no one looks your way I think you've got it."

These suggestions seem ridiculous, especially when spelled out like this. Maybe because there are such social norms these rules seem to go without saying?