While they are wonderful tools for convenience and safety, it s easy to form bad habits with a telephone that s so accessible. Avoid making calls without permission during formal meetings. A meeting costs time and money. Calls should be placed only with the agreement of all present or if there is an emergency. Use the same rule in social situations.
Some people feel that pulling out a phone is a mark of status and connection.
Remember the Golden Rule. If your phone rings while talking to someone in person, excuse yourself before answering it. Use appropriate volume. It s distracting to be around someone talking loudly on a cellular phone. Also, elevators are not private places, yet many business people use their phones the minute they get on.