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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]In my department, every single person has a device glued to their hand during a meeting or face up on the table.  I think nothing of answering emails during a meeting and neither would my boss. He would also take a call if need be. Now we are department that deals with IT so that probably makes a difference.

In general in our org, it's not considered rude to look at a device during a meeting - even if a senior level person is speaking and often the end of a meeting is signaled when the majority have all picked up their devices and started actively reading emails and responding.

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I am going to be in the minority here and say that a) my situation is just like that of the PP I am quoting (though we are not IT); b) DB puts a VERY high premium on immediate response to email (<2 minutes); and c) if I can't provide quick feedback to my team on the many projects we are running simultaneously, valuable time is wasted. As it is I am running on constant overdrive; if things slip I have to bring them home for the 9-11pm shift after kids/homework.  Exhausting, and i am not going to do it if I can get more finished during the day by sending quick emails during long meetings.  I think this etiquette is very situation-specific. My job requires me to be constantly up to speed on certain types of breaking news (feeds come in through our smartphones), and get a LOT of work done very quickly.  It also requires meetings.

I agree with those that say the "first line of defense" thing is better addressed with your vibrate setting.  HOWEVER, walk a mile, people. I also have 3 elementary/middle school aged kids, and their after school activities/carpool setup is complex and sometimes needs attention during the 3-6pm time period.  I spend a lot of time at home making sure it is organized, but stuff happens.  Sometimes a quick text makes the difference between a kid waiting in the rain or being home and dry (carpool driver A has a flat tire, so I ask Carpool driver B to help or dig myself/DH out to ride to the rescue).  Or, my lovely SAHM neighbor gets sick and I say it's fine for her DS to come hang out with my DS and our sitter.  Sometimes I swap things around--leave early to be with the kids BUT still get the work done via email.  So long as i have my command central smartphone, i can do my job and still be a little part of the village (that it takes to raise a child...). It's not perfect, but it more or less works.  Life is very rich, if often messy.  I don't think it's always possible to compartmentalize your life anymore, as men used to do.  I can listen respectfully to a colleague and participate in the discussion, while keeping an eye on my phone when I am not needed.  Why do people feel judgmental about a subject like this?

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