Dining Guide / Conversation & Thanks
Phones at the Table
Put your phone away during the meal and give your time to the people in front of you.
Try what you’ve read in questions based on real dining situations. · 5 min
View the Conversation course
Key Points
- Keep your phone off the table, silenced, and tucked away in your bag or pocket.
- Check calls and messages after the meal.
- If you’re expecting something important, mention it at the start: “I may need to take an urgent call.”
- If it comes, say “Excuse me,” step away from the table and keep it short.
- If you’d like to photograph the food, ask first and be quick. At formal meals, skip it.
Do
- Silence your phone before the meal
- Step away to handle anything urgent
Avoid
- Looking at your screen at the table
- Leaving your phone face down on the table
- Taking a call at your seat
Handy Tip
Even face down, a phone on the table says “something else is on my mind.” Keeping it out of sight is best.
Practice in a Lesson
- Eating and Talking — 5 min · Sign in to unlock
Read next
Occasions where this helps
- Business Dinner — You have a client dinner next week
- Date Night & Anniversaries — You've booked an anniversary dinner this weekend
- Starting Your Career — You're starting a new job, and there's a welcome dinner
Sources
- Emily Post Institute, “Top Table Manners Tips” — Posture, napkins, utensils, soup and phones at the table.
- Debrett's, “Restaurant Etiquette for Guests” — Host and guest roles, paying and thanking the host after a restaurant meal.