July is Cell Phone Courtesy Month, although I wish it were every month. Unlike the seemingly 99% of the rest of the population, I’m not attached to my cell phone every day. I don’t text. In fact—get this—I don’t use one! We have one, but my husband keeps it on him since he works away from home. Since I’m pretty much either around here most of the time, or with him and our daughter, I don’t really need one, do I? That just boggles some people’s minds, but it’s true.

So I guess it’s super easy for me to be critical when people are in line at the store, talking to the waiter at a restaurant, or even visiting me (for Pete’s sake!) and continue either talking on their phone or texting as if nothing is happening live. Live your life in the moment, people; if you’re not a neurosurgeon, you probably don’t need to text or call someone right this minute. Our parents got along fine without them (as did all of our previous ancestors), so they shouldn’t be such a damn crutch.

That said, if you do want to remain attached to your phone 24/7, at least use some common courtesy. Here are a few tips that the rest of us would appreciate you using.

10. Say “Excuse Me”

I remember when that was just something that was done when using any phone—“Excuse me, I have to take this.” Now people just launch into meaningless conversations mid-sentence, without giving a whit about the person standing right in front of them. To me, this screams, “***hole.” In fact, I will ask my company, “Do you mind if I take this?” because that’s how I learned to answer the phone from my parents. It’s out of consideration for the guest.

9. Don’t Text Randomly While Talking to Someone in Person

You could, of course, explain, “Oh, that’s my son,” or whomever, when your phone buzzes, and mention texting him back about the time you’re picking him up. But tuning out a live person who’s apparently wasting his or her time being with you—not somewhere else texting you—is (you guessed it) downright rude.

8. Don’t Be So Boistrous

This one goes especially for all of those people laughing outrageously in line at the supermarket, or, more commonly, the gas station. Don’t scream, or laugh in my face, or refrain from paying attention because of some lame joke your best friend just told you. Get in the line and get out.