History

Traditions

The Phone Etiquette Rule You're Probably Breaking At The Dinner Table By Creshonda A. Smith Aug. 8, 2025 6:20 pm EST

Media consumption via our smartphones is something so normalized that it has permeated every corner of our society, whether we like it or not. Whipping out your phone even in the middle of a classroom sometimes doesn't garner the same outrage it once did. In light of this tech boom, you may not be all that surprised by this common dinner etiquette rule that's regularly broken .

If your phone is sitting face-up on the table during a meal, that's considered a breach of basic etiquette, especially in more formal or shared dining settings. Even if you're not actively using it, just having it visible sends the message: "I might check this at an

See Full Page