1Be aware of whether your phone should be off, on, or muted. Cell phones are a convenience but they can easily be an annoyance especially to other people. Rule #1 is to know if you are in a place where your phone should be off as in off rather than on mute or buzz. The short list includes: church, a court room, a concert or public performance such as a play, a movie theater, medical facilities. If in doubt ask. And if you think you are too important to ask, turn the phone off.