Cellphone ethics involves more than rude behavior

Next time you're out with a group of friends, here's a game that will make the evening more enjoyable and just might pick up your tab.

Everyone takes out their cell phones, stack them in the center of the table, and waits.

The first person to grab their phone from the stack picks up the bill.

Think you could win the phone-stacking game? Don't be so sure. Next time you're in a group of people, waiting in line, observe how many have heads cocked, one arm in front, checking Twitter or Facebook.

wikiHow offers some-sense tips to make yourself, and your cellphone, welcome in polite society:

1. It's your responsibility to use your phone inoffensively -- don't expect them to tolerate any intrusion into their day.

2. Turn your phone or audio down when asked.

3. Stay at least 10 feet away from others when talking on a cellphone.

4. Avoid talking when you're in an enclosed space.

5. Don't talk too loudly.

6. Don't put your phone on speaker.

7. Don't talk about personal details in public.

8. Don't multi-task. Do your banking, shopping and ordering, one thing at a time.

9. Don't use your phone in inappropriate places like bathrooms, theaters, waiting rooms.

10. Don't use your phone during a meal with someone.

11. If you absolutely must communicate, use to text, quietly.

Of course, there's more to cell phone usage than etiquette. The National Safety Council estimates that 26 percent of all motor vehicle crashes involve cellphone use, 5 percent texting and 21 percent talking on handheld or hands-free cellphones.

Those statistics increase each year, well on the way to catching alcohol use, which is involved in 40 percent of crashes.