Tech Etiquette for the Upcoming Holidays: The Boundaries of Cell, Computer and Other Technology Usage

As the holidays quickly approach, more people will be invited to other people's homes or holiday parties. Being that this is the technology age, use of cell phones and computers everywhere, blurs the lines of what is and what is not acceptable use of this technology while at someone's home. At what point does one cross over to the line of being rude, and at one point does a host or hostess have legitimate reason to be offended by someone's lack of tech-etiquette?

As a general rule, more and more people find it okay, to ask to use someone's computer to check their e-mails - especially if it is business related. However, just because this is becoming the social norm at more and more house parties, it doesn't necessarily mean it is okay. Avoid at all possible costs the need to ask to use someone's computer unless absolutely necessary.

If you are engaged in business that requires you to check e-mails at all hours of the day - even while at a dinner party, maybe it's time to invest in a Treo or some other wireless, hand held device that allows you to do this without being an annoyance.

Asking to use someone's computer to go on MySpace is a major mistake. If it is so important for you to see if you have new friend requests from virtual people, maybe you should just stay at home rather than make a fool of yourself at a party that a real person was kind of enough to invite you to.

If a host or hostess is nice enough to let you use their home computer, then it is suggested you quickly check your e-mails and return back to the party. Changing the desktop wall paper or changing anything on the computer is a big don't - even if you are very close to this person. Also, downloading materials off the Internet is a big don't and being conscious of cookie downloads is a precaution you should definitely consider.

Cell phones which seemed to be attached to just about everyone nowadays at the ear, are definitely culprits in expressing bad manners. Nowadays, it seems socially acceptable to carry on loud, obnoxious conversations in stores, while driving, in movie theaters. The list goes on and people seem to have no shame in doing so. As a host or hostess, you have every right to be annoyed if someone is using their cell phone while a dinner is occurring or if someone carries on an extremely long conversation as a party is going on.

As a guest, if you need to use your cell phone, use it because it is absolutely necessary. If it is just a casual call, take the call, tell the other person on the other line that you are at an event and say you will call them back later. It is not that difficult to do, yet so many people seem to think that a phone call trumps what is actually going on right in front of them. Jabbering to a friend about traffic or the weather while at a dinner party is not considered multi-tasking; it is just considered rude.

Other electronic toys that turns guests into obnoxious, ingrates include hand held games such as PSPs. Electronic games for children are fine if it's a bunch of adults sitting around talking, but when a kid or adult brings those types of devices to the table, it is ridiculous behavior that should not be allowed.

As it becomes more and more socially acceptable to integrate technology into our every day lives, the least we can do is keep some areas of our lives a little more sacred when it comes to our usage of technology and rules of etiquette. Dinner parties and holiday get-togethers should be one of those areas.