Staying connected can sometimes intrude upon the privacy of others. Here are some tips to keep you from a making wireless phone faux pas:

There are situations where it is simply polite to shut off your phone, and there are situations where it is imperative that you do so. Always obey requests from airlines and hospitals to turn off your wireless phone.

Turn off or silence your wireless phone where it could be disruptive or irritating to others - at the movies, during plays or concerts, restaurants, classes, when on public transit and in places of worship.

Try to keep your voice down if you're making a call in a public area. If your conversation needs to be loud, personal or emotional, please try to take it somewhere private!

If you are expecting an important call and can't turn off your phone, plan ahead. Sit near an aisle or close to an exit so you can leave the public area. And be sure to use your phone's special features to minimize any disruption.

• Put your phone on vibrate mode, or set the ringer (and message indicator!) volumes to silent (the screens on our phones light up when someone is calling)
• Use your Caller ID feature. If it's not the call you've been waiting for, let it go to Voice Mail. You can call back later.
• You can also pre-arrange for important information to be e-mailed to your digital phone using our text or instant messaging services instead (don't forget to switch your mail message indicator to vibrating or silent mode).

Before you use your phone, ask your companions if they mind. If someone asks you not to, or indicates that your conversation is annoying them, please be polite. Wrap it up quickly, or save your call for later.

When you're on the road, remember that driving safely is your first priority. If you cannot drive safely while using your wireless phone, save your call until you can. Check out TELUS Mobility's safe driving tips.