When sending texts, the onus is on the sender to respect the recipient's time, says etiquette expert William Hanson. This principle is part of a broader set of modern phone etiquette rules that many may need to revisit.
Should You Send That Midnight Text? 11 Essential Rules for Phone Etiquette
It is no secret that many of us are addicted to our phones, and inconsiderate public behaviour has become the norm. When the two collide, it can cause anger. Recently, actor Rosamund Pike addressed a texting audience member after a West End performance, highlighting the impact of phone use on live performances.
When Should You Switch Off Your Phone?
Etiquette expert William Hanson advises switching off phones in settings where human interaction is key, such as theatres or cinemas, to avoid disrupting others' experiences.
Is It Ever OK to Have Your Phone on the Table in a Restaurant?
Hanson insists phones should be kept off the table and out of sight, and even switched off to avoid distractions. Unless you are an on-call surgeon, notifications can wait.
What If You Are Waiting for an Urgent Call?
Myka Meier, author of Modern Etiquette Made Easy, suggests informing your companions at the start and taking any urgent calls away from the table.
Is a Call on Loudspeaker Ever Acceptable in a Public Place?
Hanson and Meier agree that loudspeaker calls in public are inconsiderate, as they force others to listen to private conversations.
What About Ringtones and Keypad Bleeps?
Mariah Humbert, etiquette expert and author of What Do I Do?, recommends silencing all sounds in public, using vibrate or headphones instead.
When Should You Wear Headphones?
Headphones are essential for listening to audio in public, but should be removed during brief interactions like paying for coffee, as a sign of respect.
Is It Acceptable to Send Voice Notes?
Voice notes are acceptable depending on the relationship and content. Short, amusing recordings are fine, but long rambling ones can be rude. Hanson suggests sending a quick text below a voice note to indicate its importance.
What Hours Are Acceptable to Text Someone?
Hanson believes the sender should respect the recipient's time, scheduling texts if necessary. For work messages, 8am to 7pm is reasonable. Meier advises avoiding business texts after hours, sending emails instead.
Should You Reply to Texts Straight Away?
Meier suggests allowing a grace period of a business day. If a quick response is needed but not possible, Humbert recommends acknowledging the message with a simple reply.
Should You Call Someone from Gen Z Without Prior Warning?
Dr Zoetanya Sujon explains that younger generations view phone calls as invasive. Meier suggests sending a buffer text before calling. For casual check-ins, calling out of the blue is acceptable, but reassure the recipient quickly that it is not bad news.
Should You Use Full Stops? Or Send Brain Rot?
Generational differences in punctuation and emoji use can lead to misunderstandings. Humbert advises using phone calls for important conversations where tone matters. Sujon notes that brain rot serves as a form of youth culture humour, not a sign of stupidity.
Ultimately, phone etiquette boils down to consideration for others, whether in public spaces or in digital communication.
