Michael at mobile opportunity posted an interesting article regarding European vs. American mobile phone use.

He mentioned that if we go to lunch or dinner in any country in Europe, and when everyone sits down they'll take out their mobile phones and put them on the table. There's even a proper place to put the phone, about like this:



Then everyone at the table surreptitiously checks out everyone else's phone. There's a subtle hierarchy of status associated with which phone you carry.

I am sure plenty of you in the forum live in Europe countries. Why not telling us if this is true?

Do you put your phone on the table during a meal? Yes or No? Please do not forget to mention which countries you are from.

Jump in and start the discussion now!

UK,London, I usually put mine on my left side next to fork.

NJ, US. I only put my mobile on the table if I'm eating with a group of friends (usually off to my right side, screen facing down). If I'm alone with my gf, with family, or at something business related I put it on vibrate and keep it in my pocket.

EDIT: Very interesting topic btw.

Well, i never paid attention to that detail, but if had a crap phone i wouldn't take it out of my pocket, thats for sure
Anyway, very interesting coment ArthurWill...

northern ireland no wouldnt trust the people i am have dinner with lol

Me- yes. Don't know about the rest of asia.

Same i'm in the UK and i put my phone down on the table, not in that postion usually on my right, so its easyer to pick-up.

No,I don't I always put it in my handbag :D

Egypt

UK- No, i leave mine in my pocket

Probs trouser pocket rather than coat so i can feel it go off it it does

[FONT=Courier][COLOR=blue] Philippines - I don't put my mobile on the table with friends or without friends.

US-na its usually in me pocket on vibrate

Also i like the peas and the carrots but im not sure what is going on in the middle of the plate there...dog poo maybe?

Singapore. I don't. Mainly because I don't like people asking for a look and then straight away unlock and start playing with my phone. Selfish ha?

Armenia - Geographically Asia, but we're a member of the European Council. So that makes us Europe.

Yes, we put our cellphones on the table. Meal or no meal it doesn't matter. Next thing you know we're checking each other's phone. Including galleries. We only skip the contact list and the message inbox, because that's considered private data). Then starts the enquiery on where did you get your phone from and how much did you pay for it and the specs talk bagins. The higher price you paid for your phone the better you look. And it had better be a good brand too and good looking. Also, it's a plus if your phone supports MMC. Then starts the mp3 and image transfer via bluetooth. And before you know it, it's time to go home.

I'm one of those people. Only I don't share my files because I'm mean like that.

Philippines..I only put my phone on the table if I was using it before sitting down..

Humn, I don't think I will like that.

In Malaysia, unless we are eating in a restaurant, you rarely see anyone putting their phone on the table.

This is especially true when we are in a hawker centre (food court).



It is fairly common for snatch thieves to grab your phone away without you noticing.

Hi, Croatia. I always put my phone on the tabe so do my friends. Scary!!!! And not only when we are in some restaurant, even in caffe bar....
this topic is realy starting me to think.

Wales, UK. I always leave it in my pocket exept that when I'm with friends we share files, and now I can show off my new phone

Germany. Depends. Nrmally I dont. But if I wear uncomfortable pants - means without a special pocket for the phone - I do, when no parents are in sight.

England - Leave the phone in the pocket, on vibrate. When at a dining table i find it rude to look at the phone, so it remains in my pocket until i am finished.

England, Leeds. On the table, pretty much as the diagram!!

I put it on the table when I play music

Serbia..i dont..i wear it around my neck

Im from Malaysia . I personally don't leav ma phone on tha table during any meal time.somehow it depends , when im "INSIDE" restaurant , i will . because "theseday phones gettin bulky" lol.

Sweden, Stockholm.
I put my phone next to my right hand during the meal, but not too close to avoid accidents with liquids.)))

Manila, Philippines. Generally when we're outside, we keep it on our pockets or holsters and purses. Unless of course you want it stolen and maybe get stabbed and killed in the process.

Rich people tend to flaunt it on their shoulder straps, around their necks, to show off their affluent lifestyles.

Are they immune to being stabbed or killed then?

No, I keep mine in the pocket...

Indonesia.

Me, yes. beside my chopsticks.

i agree with him
Fl,US
DtJ

I have mine on a lanyard. So...
When in Singapore
1. Business lunch meeting = in pants pocket, silent + vibrator on
2. Department lunch meeting = around neck or on table (left hand/next to notebook), silent + vibrator on
3. Lunch with casual friends = anywhere on table, normal mode & let friends fiddle with it.

When in Malaysia
1. Always in the pocket, lanyard tucked in pants pocket


Rule-of-thumb:
Never look at phone when in conversation with anyone - it's rude
(unless you tell them before hand that you're expecting an important/overseas call)

...is my life confusing or what???

Good move.

I am certainly doing no good for Visit Malaysia Year 2007.

india-i usually keep it on the table to my right.

goood info

thnx

Normally it's on desk in the corner unless I'm using it when I sit at the table.

Mine is always inside my pocket, except when I receive calls or sms, or when I get bored I play the games.

well i dont know about the others in my country but i do that ... i put my phone when im eating ... in the table infront of my plate ... specially when im having my lunch at the KFC lol ...



(im from srilanka) (asia)

i live in florida usa i have never seen anyone put there phone on the table unless they are texting some we usually keep it in our pockets

Safer like that.

I usually keep my mobile,in the place i am comfortable with during my meal time,maybe in my hand or in my bag or in the TABLE.....

currently in Thailand. but no,I don't put my phone on the table, whether I've been using it beforehand or not. I keep it in my bag at all times, with a discreet ringing tone, so I can still hear it if I have a phone call.

my phone is always in my pocket.
But sometimes i put it on the table if I wanted to show off my phone, as i have some friends who like to show off...


or if I was in a long gathering, and got bored I take it out and play with it....
, or to listen to some music...

i usually place my phone inside my pocket, so as not to be distracted while eating at the table. When i receive an SMS, i read and reply after i am done eating.

It's depend. If i was waiting for a important call, i will. But most of the time i put them in my pocket.

Poland - i usually keep the phone in my handbag but sometimes put it in front of a plate especially when i'm in loud place

sometimes especially when im connected to the net. i put my phone where i can easily see the screen. but my mom gets mad when i do this ang tells me she's going to make me eat the phone. - from the Philippines

If u go to a club , bar, pub , anything with drinking mostrly , in ROMANIA, the tables r full with cellphones, sometimes 3-4 per persons, we have like 5-6 providers in the country ( not many ) so .. people afford to have several phones for several sims. Anyway most of people wait for offers usually with the celphone at special price too. People prefer nokia anyway . and the showy people alwayz buy what's latest ... in ROMANIA people change phones like socks.. Also .. people that had no contact with the new electronics era ( peasants in villages on the highest mountains - kinda people ) they now have mobiles.. and u can hear them on street .. shoutin in the phones' mic cuz they r not sure the other end gets them. In restaurants i don't eat so i don't know. ahhahah . In schools everyone has mobile rather then even having a watch ... mobiles r the watchesss and sometimes hands-free is the way to copy in tests .. I guess i gave a mini mobile life in Romania

I keep mine in the pocket

I don't like to be rude and put it on the table when I'm eating out so I keep mine in my trouser pocket the whole time.....especially with the vibrate function on.

UK here. Never put my phone on table. I turn it off at all mealtimes. And i dont take it to bed with me either LOL

Well, my phone is sometimes on the table (specially when I wait some call) but usually it is not so close because I dont want to be tied to phone all the time!