It's happened to all of us. You're at dinner with your buddies when one guy won't stop texting his girlfriend and Instagramming pictures of his chicken parm.
The whole "Tweeting while eating" problem has gotten so bad that a restaurant in LA is now offering a 5 percent discount for diners who literally check their phones at the door. While we love a good deal, that seems a little extreme, but we’re not the experts. Luckily, we know some.
Like technology itself, the rules of how and where to use it are ever-changing, so we consulted with social etiquette gurus to figure out the answers. Here are four everyday tech etiquette problems, and creative solutions for each one. (Want more cool life tips and great guy wisdom? Follow Men's Health on Twitter—just don't Tweet us at the dinner table!)
1. Stack 'Em Up
The situation: Your friend won't put his phone down during guys' night out.
The solution: Upon arrival at the table, have everyone stack their phones in the center of the table to form a tiny tower of technology. The rules are simple: The first one to answer their phone, shoot a text, or even glance at their screen must buy dinner or the next round of drinks. (During family dinners, the loser has to empty the dishwasher or vacuum the house.)
What the experts say: Stacking is a really cool way to up the ante, says Anna Post, great-great-granddaughter of etiquette expert Emily Post and a spokesperson for the Emily Post Institute. There's a sense of humor to it, she says, but there's also a real sense of consequence—and that makes it more real for people.
2. Two Can Play That Game
The situation: You finally catch a free night with your old college buddy, but he won't stop checking the score of the Yankees game.
The solution: Discreetly take out your own phone and shoot him a text message. Something along the lines of "Hey, I was wondering if we could actually chat with each other" should be enough. (Feel free to add a "Yankees suck!" for good measure.)
What the experts say: Try a funny little poke that jolts some awareness back into the situation, advises Post. Avoid complaining. Chances are your friend understands why his constant phone use is rude, but he just needs a reminder. (Learn three more Etiquette Upgrades Every Man Must Make.)
3. Peace Out
The situation: You're in an important meeting with a client or coworker who's glued to his BlackBerry.
The solution: Mirror his lack of respect for your time by saying, "I'll let you take that, and I'm going to leave. Let's reschedule for another day."
What the experts say: You don't have to sit around and wait for people to take phone calls, says lifestyle and etiquette expert Elaine Swann. It's okay to reciprocate the rudeness they're exhibiting by establishing that you have other things to do, too. Don't be over-the-top rude—just remind your colleague that you can meet later.
4. Create a Tech-Free Zone
The situation: You can't get your daughter's attention for 5 minutes without being interrupted by her smart phone chirping or tablet chiming.
The solution: Create a tech-free zone. Designate a time period (like right after school until dinner) or a physical zone (like in the car) where anything with an Apple logo is absolutely off-limits.
What the experts say: It's important to set boundaries. While tech connects your kids to people around the world, it also disconnects them from the folks who live in their own house, says Swann. Setting up a distraction-free is a crucial part of teenagers' social learning, she says. (For more parenting advice and family-friendly health tips delivered right to your inbox, sign up for the Men's Health Dad newsletter!)
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