Smartphone etiquette for the Thanksgiving table

Hey all you turkey gobblers and potato mashers,
Thanksgiving is just days from now, and if you are like millions of Americans, that means food, lots of food, friends, fun and...smartphones?
Chances are, if you are not hosting a dinner at your home, you are going to dinner at someone else's home, and since your smartphone has become a central part of your life, that means that it is going along for the ride as well.
Now, prior to the development of the cellphone, this article would not have been necessary, but because so many of us simply abhor being without our phones, at any time, for any reason, I thought that this would be a good time, with the Holidays upon us and all, to pass on some "tips" on the proper usage of your smartphone during Holiday dinner. Brought to you verbatim and with the generous permission of Anthony Scarsella, chief gadget officer at Gazelle.com
Keep your phone off the table - A recent survey Gazelle conducted shows only 21 percent of respondents put their phone away at the table. Even though it may provide comfort having a quick escape, your company--even your Uncle John--deserves your undivided attention. No one likes being upstaged by Justin Bieber’s Twitter feed.
Step out of the room to take a phone call or answer an email - If someone’s calling you, they’re not going to want to listen to the dulcet tones of your family fighting over the wishbone. And, somehow, we don’t think your family is going to want to hear about your friend’s reunion with an ex from high school. A polite ‘excuse me’ gives you a few valuable minutes in solitude and keeps the peace.
Don’t bring your phone to the bathroom - This is one of Gazelle’s staple courtesy tips. For some reason, only 34 percent of our survey respondents put down their phone to use the bathroom. Be kind to your family and friends and keep your germs where they belong. If you really, really need a moment away, see our previous tip.
Keep Internet surfing/YouTube streaming to a minimum - There are only so many times you can listen to Alvin and the Chipmunks sing holiday songs, so we think it’s acceptable to use your phone to search for some new music or a funny video for the family to watch, when needed.
Minimize texting/Facebooking/tweeting - Your friends are busy with their families, too! Give your newsfeed a break. Your story about the ducky pajamas Aunt Sue got you can wait until 2013. It might even be funny then.
Follow the “Golden Rule” - Chances are, you’re going to be traveling quite a bit around the holidays. Do us all (and yourself) a favor, and keep your eyes on the road, not on your phone screen. If you’re on a crowded bus/plane/train, keep the chatter to a minimum, or text. The golden rule is a great one to follow, especially when we’re all in a rush to get to the next holiday extravaganza.
Reward good behavior - If you made it through the holidays relatively unscathed, why not treat yourself to a new device? You’ve earned it. Plus, trading in your old phone will give you a little extra cash, providing just what you need to get through the post-holiday slump.
Mind you, these are just "tips", albeit good ones, but I wouldn't want to hear any stories about someone becoming catatonic at the dinner table due to the "absence of smartphone" syndrome! (Oh....it's REAL!)
So if I had any advice to add to this list, I would just say, be aware of the depth of your dependency. If while sitting at the table, all you can think about is your smartphone, languishing in some deep dark coat pocket, then it sort of defeats the whole purpose.
If you absolutely have to have it (and you know who you are), then at least try to avoid glancing at it constantly. Maybe you could give yourself a timer. Like say after a certain number of words, it's okay to take a look. Or perhaps a number of bites or topics of conversation.
The method you use is not as important as making those around you feel like you are there to spend time with them, not your phone, even if they all understand what your going through! And when it's all over, and you and your smartphone are once again connected, won't you feel better knowing that you both made an effort to "be there"....gfete (grinning from ear to ear)

Categories: etiquette