AT&T's Thanksgiving Tech Etiquette Tips

Bags are packed, airplane tickets booked, and car tanks filled – it’s the holiday season, which means quality time with family and friends! Before you get full on turkey and stuffing, make sure you maximize time with your loved ones by ensuring that face-to-face interaction isn’t interrupted by electronic devices.

Here are AT&T’s top-five tips on tech etiquette this Thanksgiving:

• Phones on the Sidelines – Not for the faint of heart: suggest everyone put their devices into one communal bowl before dinner to ensure minimal electronic interference and maximum conversation.
• Silence is Golden – Put your cell phones on silent or vibrate mode. If there is a call or text you need to take, step into a separate room to minimize distractions.
• Instagram Later – It might be tempting to select the perfect filter for that beautiful picture of the Thanksgiving spread, but wait until after the meal to Instagram to your heart’s desire.
• Take a Break Between Courses – If people need to check their texts or the score of the football game, build in a mini-break between the meal and dessert when everyone needs time to digest anyway.
• Show Gratitude – Use an app such as Paperless Post to send a thank-you e-card to your host.

Of course, there’s an exception if you want to all gather to video chat with a family member who couldn’t make it to the festivities.