Avoiding writing in caps, putting less kisses than the other person and sending more than two texts without a reply were unveiled as amongst the golden rules of phone etiquette, it emerged yesterday.
Tweeting in church and being on your phone while being served at a checkout were included in the list of no-nos alongside the overuse of smileys, abbreviations and attention-seeking ‘selfies’, which iPhone users were found to be most guilty of.
The study, compiled by TalkTalk Mobile, found that nearly half of all Brits admitted to having text, emailed or called someone on the loo. The findings were uncovered as part of a deep dive into the nation's mobile phone habits to unearth the dos and don'ts in modern phone etiquette.
Constantly checking the phone, being on a tablet or texting during a film and a general lack of conversation skill because of staring at a screen were cited some of the most common irritations.
Good practice was texting a partner good night, avoiding drunk texting and leaving it at least two days before texting after a date. Texting a partner to update on plans, avoiding texting when angry and steering clear of trivial small talk were also found to be other good rules to go by.
Four in ten people have completely misinterpreted a poorly written text – with people not understanding sarcasm the most likely pitfall.
Nearly a third of the study had an unfortunate experience when drunk texting that they’d rather forget, while embarrassing ‘auto correct’ mistakes and accidentally texting the boss had also occurred. An unlucky one in ten has sent a text talking about a person to the person they were talking about by mistake leading to awkwardness.
Londoners were found to have the worst phone manners whilst the Scots were the most polite.
Jo Bryant, Etiquette Expert at Debretts, said: "Mobile phones allow us to communicate instantly, with ease and spontaneity, but as the TalkTalk survey results show, consideration for others is essential for good mobile phone manners. People in the flesh deserve more attention than a gadget, so wherever possible do not allow your phone to distract you in face-to-face situations."
Dan Meader of TalkTalk Mobile, added: "We are rarely ever without our mobile phones so it's unsurprising that sometimes when we're busy chatting, texting or surfing we fail to consider those around us. TalkTalk Mobile has long since been making Britain better off with its great value mobile deals, but now we're able to go one step further towards make Britain better mannered.
"Nearly 70% of us know someone with bad phone manners - although only a fifth of us thought our own phone manners may be in need of improvement - so our user friendly guide aims to help people weave their way through the web that is modern phone etiquette."
TalkTalk Mobile is exclusive to TalkTalk customers and offers smartphones and SIM only plans from just £5 a month. It's just launched a host of six months half-price deals.
For further information or to view the 'phonetiquette' guide visit talktalk.co.uk/phonetiquette
Do
- Think about the choice and volume of your ringtone
- Keep inappropriate conversations about money, relationships and work private
- Watch where you are walking when texting or emailing on the go
- Turn off your phone in important social situations - weddings, church services and at the cinema
- Watch your language when in a public space
- Pay attention to where you are calling from. The echo of a bathroom is a dead giveaway.
- Think about being overly affectionate in texts - putting too many kisses - if you don't know the person too well
- Wait until the next day to text someone after a first date
- Give your friend your phone when tempted to drunk call or text
- Consider earphone volume when watching movies or programmes on your tablet on public transport
Don’t
- Carry on phone conversations when making a transaction in a shop, bank or restaurant
- Send more than two texts without a reply - it looks needy
- Use your mobile phone or tablet when eating with family. Apart from greasy fingers on your screen, it is rude!
- Leave caps lock on when texting or emailing. No one wants to feel like they are being shouted at!
- Check your phone constantly when out with someone. Give them your full attention.
- Use acronyms like LOL, K, G2G
- Finish a relationship by text. Be brave and do it face to face.
- Forward on 'round robin' chain messages
- Overdo it with attention seeking selfies - no one likes to see a poser
- Use your phone on the toilet. Just wrong.