Study: Keep mobile technology on sidelines at holiday gatherings

http://pacific.bizjournals.com/pacific/stories/2009/10/19/daily6.html Study: Keep mobile technology on sidelines at holiday gatherings Pacific Business News (Honolulu) This "study" was just published on the Pacific Business News website today. I thought I would share it because I absolutely cannot stand it when the person(s) accompanying me uses their electronic device while in a meeting, having a meal or at a special engagement of some sort. I have to admit that there are exceptions. I obviously use my phone as a camera to photograph my food quite a bit. The thing is I would normally only do this while at personal dining functions. I don't bust out my camera phone if I'm having a meeting with someone that is meeting me regarding business and photograph my meal. With this being stated, I would think it is acceptable for the guests at a special engagement or holiday party to use their mobile devices to take photographs or videos if the event normally would be something to be photographed or captured on video. I think it becomes acceptable to use my (or your) mobile device as usual if the congregation is very casual or informal, for example just hanging out at a cafe or out shopping in a group and things like that. The point at which I believe the results of this study should begin to apply is when the person(s) you are meeting with has had to set aside a specific time slot in their schedule that coincided with your schedule to conduct a certain task of importance. Holiday gatherings should fall under this even though it may not be business related. Holiday gatherings are usually time set aside to spend with one's family and/or close friends. I find it difficult to justify answering a call, making a call or checking email/texts or internet during such an event's formal schedule. There will always be those additional exceptions like a guest or group of guests have not arrived yet and may have lost their way so might call another member of the party for directions or to explain their tardiness. There are all these justifications on the proper etiquette to follow these days because "times have changed". Since most of you who are actually reading this would probably be current with today's technology etiquette, what are your thoughts? After all, you are a blog reader, most likely a blogger (couple things that are still considered out of the norm for many people), probably take photos at gatherings, meals or other events for your blog, probably tweet and I know you must have a mobile phone that makes phone calls as well as transmit and receives data of some sort. What is acceptable to you?