Welcome to Gaia! ::

Just some tips when you talk on the phone in public; and by public I mean in restaurants and other enclosed areas.

0. (Before making that call) Recheck the number of the person you are dialing, especially if the number you are dialing is not programmed into your phone, no one likes dialing a wrong number... Also, if you do dial the wrong number, don't just hang up in the person's ear (believe it or not, it's considered rude), state to the person the number you dialed to see if you have the wrong number or if you dialed the wrong number. This way you don't end up calling that number again and the other person on the end of the line doesn't become annoyed. AND don't forget to apologize for the inconvenience.

1. Keep your voice down to a minimum; not everyone wants to hear your conversations.

2. Talking on the phone involves the same rules when talking to someone face to face (See Manner I)

3. If you are sitting in a restaurant and you have to take a phone call, excuse yourself from the table; the people sitting with you may not want to hear your conversation, especially if it's in the middle of their conversation.

4. If you're sitting in a car (especially with other people) and have to take a phone call, make it short and quick. Call them back when you reach an area when you can get out of the car and talk.

5. Know when to turn off your phone or at least put it on silent. Nobody wants to hear a phone in the movies, library, or other such places.

6. When shopping and need assistance from the staff, DO NOT be on the phone AND talking (in some cases writing) to the staff that you need help. Kindly hold the conversation with the person on the phone (if not end the call) and talk to the staff person as if s/he were an actual person. If you expect someone to have your attention, they expect the same thing.

7. Lastly, try to put yourself in the other person's (people) shoes. Would you want to hear the conversation?