Modern Manners and E-Etiquette: What’s acceptable behaviour in 2016?

As our lives become ever more digitised, nearly half of us believe that the rule book for manners has been re-written, and that there is now a new ‘e-etiquette’ for social interaction. But while some digital interruptions in social situations are deemed acceptable, others are viewed as ill-mannered.

The e-etiquette of occasions

Digital disruptions

We have reached a tipping point in digital communications where the majority of people are now exasperated by others’ obsession with constantly checking their devices for digital updates, rather than engaging with people in their current surroundings.

There are certain situations that people still feel should always be handled in person, such as announcing plans to get married, while other occasions are more likely to be arranged digitally.

Research conducted amongst a nationally representative sample of 1,176 UK adults by Coleman Parks Research on behalf Pitney Bowes, April 2016

Despite our annoyance, most Brits admit to behaving in ways that they find rude in others:

62% texting while walking in a

public place

53% use capitals in texts/emails

to make a point

48% talk on a phone in a

public place

71% of us feel this is rude, up

from 13% in 2013

69% feel this is rude, up from

49% in 2013

63% feel this is rude, up from

45% in 2013

Talking on a phone in a public place

Checking emails in a meeting

Checking texts during a business lunch

Announcing a lifetime event

#PitneyBowes

37%in person

26%via social network

Ending a relationship

49%in person

6%via email

Arranging a night out

37%via text message

28%in person

Sending Birthday Cards

72%via postal cards

26%via eCards