It's clear we are well into the mobile era: At every stop sign, traffic light and street corner, people are on their phones and tablets, tapping and swiping away.
But we're still figuring out the rules for what is and isn't appropriate in this connected age.
In a study released Wednesday, Expedia and Egencia surveyed travelers in North America, South America, Europe and Asia about their technology habits when they travel.
According to the study, 94% of travelers take at least one mobile device on personal vacations, and 97% take at least one on business trips. Sixty percent of the travelers surveyed use their mobile devices for email and messaging purposes, 50% use camera and video apps, 46% use their device for navigation and direction, and 45% use it for staying connected on social media.
In addition to finding out how travelers use their devices on the road, the study asked them about the things they find most offensive: The results offer insight into how to be a more considerate traveler.
Keep your phone calls to yourself.
Contrary to what you may believe, not everyone wants to hear the conversation you're having with your dear, old, hard-of-hearing grandmother.
A full 53% of survey respondents said that making a call on speakerphone in public was a violation of mobile etiquette.
Please talk a little louder on your phone while we ride the bus together. I don't think the people outside can hear you.— Manic Momday (@welfarehoe) March 21, 2014
Taxi driver breaking up with his girlfriend on speakerphone during our drive to the airport. #awkward— rebeccawright (@rebeccawright) October 8, 2014
Using speakerphone was actually the worst offense, according to the study.
Same goes for your entertainment.
You may love One Direction, but your seatmate? Not so much.
In the survey, 46% of respondents said they were offended by people playing music, games or videos in public.
One of the passengers walked on the plane with music playing off his phone. Full volume. — Mike Ꭶkon ✈️ CA (@mathbydesign) October 14, 2014
Always remember your headphones, and keep the volume at a level that recognizes there are people around you. The funny YouTube videos should be for your ears only.
Don't take photos of strangers.
Passenger shaming may be en vogue, but that doesn't actually make it okay to take photos of strangers.
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If your photo album is full of pictures of random strangers from your trips, you have probably crossed some lines: 41% of travelers found this act offensive. If you wouldn't want someone taking a photo of you, adding a caption, and sharing it on social media -- maybe think twice before doing it to someone else.
Take your video chats elsewhere.
Yes, it's amazing that we can video chat from all around the world. But once again, what we can do isn't necessarily what we should do.
Whether you're in a crowded bus or 30,000 feet in the air, trying to have a coherent FaceTime or Skype conversation can be pointless, impossible -- or both.
Person on my plane trying to FaceTime with a relative who's midair on another plane, not sure it's working— Benjy Sarlin (@BenjySarlin) March 8, 2014
Be considerate enough to understand the people around you may not want to play cameo role in your video chat: 26% of travelers said that taking video calls in the public is a breach of etiquette.
Turn the volume on your alerts down ... or off.
You're an important business person with important things to do, important places to go, and important people are always trying to get ahold of you. We get it. But no matter how important you may be, your fellow travelers can do without that annoying alert sound going off every two minutes.
Twenty-six percent of the survey respondents found loud phone alerts offensive. Do everyone a favor and set your phone to vibrate. Better, disable your alerts: It's not like you aren't checking your phone constantly anyway.
Put your phone away at events.
Somewhat surprisingly, just 23% of survey respondents said that messaging at a seated performance or activity was offensive.
There are events where having your phone out makes sense, like at a concert when you want to take a photo. But there are also places where answering a text message is a no-no:
this lady is totally using her phone in front of the movie screen right now #rude #Clueless pic.twitter.com/ozffgkEcBq— Eat Banana (@bayly_thebayly) June 9, 2014
Texting at a theater during a movie is just rude. Nobody wants that bright screen shining everywhere during th... http://t.co/DIRyqmFP2I— iznix (@iznix) January 10, 2014
if i am at a movie and see you on your phone, don't blame me if i stab you— Alex Ernst (@AlexErnst) October 5, 2014
Biggest pet peeve is when someone's on their phone while a movie is on— Chris (@ChrisErickson_) October 15, 2014
And finally ...
Save the foodspotting for the truly worthy dishes.
According to the survey, 19% of travelers think taking photos of your food at a restaurant is offensive.
Probably the same percentage of your Instagram followers, or more, feel the same way.
If it's the most amazing culinary creation you've ever seen in your life, go for it. Otherwise, just eat your food.