Electronics etiquette: Keep your elbows off the tablet

Mobile technology, for all its convenience, does tend to make Philistines out of many of us. Who hasn't been stuck in an elevator with someone talking loudly on his cell phone? Who hasn't sat next to someone texting during dinner? And the smartphone's penchant for abruptly ending bar arguments? Rude.

Tablet computers add a new challenge to electronics etiquette. Larger than a smartphone but smaller than a laptop, it can be difficult to know where to draw the line with the tablet.

Knowing your surroundings is key in any situation. A tablet user should be conscious of what he or she pulls up on the device and ensure it isn't offensive to others. A tablet is much less discrete than a smartphone, so it's wise to save yourself and others any embarrassment.

Recognizing when it's appropriate to use a tablet is also important. While riding the train or sitting on the couch, the tablet is a fine tool. During a meeting or a movie, however, may not be the best time to turn it on.

Tablet computers are newcomers to the market, and the rules of etiquette have not yet been written in stone. As society becomes more familiar with tablets, social rules surrounding the technology will form.