Never answer your cell phone at the table. Ever.

Never have a conversation on your cell phone at the table. Ever.

Never leave your ringer on in a restaurant. Ever

If catastrophe is looming in your life, or you are expecting the most important news of your career, you should not be out to diner.If your child is ill and you need to keep in touch with the sitter, re-think the way you live and how you prioritize your life.

If you must have your cell on, keep it in the vibrate mode. (This should only apply to Doctors, Lawyers and Gabriel waiting for the second coming) If a call comes in while in that vibrate mode and if you must take the call, excuse yourself to the restroom or step outside to answer the call. Do not answer your phone until you are well out of earshot of the other patrons. Don't worry about missing the call. You can always use your call back feature. Just remember, 20 years ago, you didn’t even have a cell phone.

When you use your cell phone at the table you destroy the ambiance the restaurateur has poured into his establishment. You also send a message to the guests you are dining with that they are not a priority. You portray yourself to the other restaurant patrons as uncaring, unthinking, incognizant, selfish and just plan vulgar. You're telling the server, the
chef, the busman and the owner that all of there effort is for naught.

You're going out to diner. This is one of the last bastions of civilization we have saved. There is a time for business and a time for pleasure. Dining out is one of the moments you need to own. No one else has this moment but you and the company at your table. Leave the troubles of the day behind and turn your phone off.

If any of this is unclear, you need to go to Ask Cell Manners.com at
http://www.cellmanners.com/forum/ask.htm

Never answer your cell phone at the table. Ever.

Never have a conversation on your cell phone at the table. Ever.

Never leave your ringer on in a restaurant. Ever