"I REALLY need to take this call...." the words that make me grind my teeth.

Unfortunately I often have to say this Margs . Sorry. I "work from home" one and a half /two days a week at which time I have to cram in taking my dad shopping and to various appointments, childcare, school runs etc. If my mobile rings it is almost always to do with work and I could not ignore it. I make it as short and sweet as I possibly can though. On the other hand if I am out during non working hours I think it is quite rude to take a (non urgent) call and chat to someone on the phone. My sister is very bad for doing this and it really annoys me. It's as though she isn't enjoying my company at all and her friend on the phone is far more important.

I don't know about mobile phones bringing friends etc together, they're pushing a lot of people away----in more ways than one with break-ups, arguments and interrupted calls.

I only give my mobile number to family and friends and explain to them that I sometimes can't answer if I'm running a group or similar.
I give my land line for business type calls. There's an answering machine for if I'm not in. If there are any nuisance calls I just block their number.
A different situation for poor gillybob though.

Oh Margs I have one friend who invites me over for a drink and a natter and her mobile (I leave mine at home) is next to her glass and off it’s going with txts/email/msg interrupting our chat.

What’s worse is that she checks each one and txts back.....in all the years we’ve been doing this it’s never been anything that couldn’t have waited an hour. We used to do dinner parties and her mobile would be on the side plate pinging away til my husband threatened to drop kick it through the conservatory doors....

I don't usually check or answer my personal phone if I'm with someone, but I do respond to my work phone as it's a 24 hour helpline. I do try to explain that at the beginning of a meeting so that people are aware I'm not being rude.

It’s what gillybob says, it makes one feel less interesting than who ever is on the blooming mobile!
Plus I think the phrase ‘I need..’ emphasises how unimportant you are in relation to the caller and the receiver.
I also hate it when people use ‘being busy’ as an excuse for not doing something. We’re all busy at times, but we’re not all careless of others feelings.
So endeth the lesson!!?

We were pretty appalled at Christmas dinner when some other family members happily placed their mobiles on the table among the decorations and crackers!

I would be too Jane10!! They can't bear to be out of touch for a moment.

I don't know what is worse though, keeping the phone and answering the calls OR popping off the loo every 5 seconds to check txts and return calls!! Same difference to me.

I agree it's rude to keep using your mobile in front of people, unless you're waiting for a call from the hospital, working or something similar...

Having said that, I wouldn't think it rude if someone answered their home telephone when I visited them and I'd answer my home telephone if they visited me. I would explain I had visitors and could only speak for a minute unless it was vital.

One of my closest friends and I had lunch at which she complained her 9 year old wouldn't read or play out and only ever wanted to play on his phone or iPad.
During the meal she took and made several calls - but they seemed valid.

The following evening we attended a service of support for those who had lost their lives in Christchurch.

To my horror, she was on her phone the whole time. Had it been any other situation I would have taken it from her end explained how disrespectful this was.