The holidays are times when extended families get together all around the world to have dinner and spend time with each other. Each family’s etiquette at the dinner table is usually based on the values of the majority of the adults who attend. With the widespread popularity of smartphones over the past few years, people of all ages have become addicted to their phones. Between Facebook, Twitter, SMS & instant messaging, checking sports scores, emails and more, there are definitely some issues which can arise at the dinner table.

Whenever my extended family gets together for dinner, my little cousins are constantly getting reprimanded for using their iPhones and BlackBerrys under the table when they think no one is watching. If you’re paying attention, it’s pretty clear when someone is sneakingly using their phone. They’re sitting at the table with their hands in their lap and looking straight down. It’s almost as obvious as holding your phone above the table and using it. I personally don’t have much of an issue with them using their phones at the dinner table, mainly because I understand where they are coming from and realize that they are just kids. I also tend to do some of the same from time to time.

None of my family members who are over 35 years old are remotely addicted to their phones, even though many of them have smartphones, so it is expected that every phone stays tucked away while at the dinner table. I’m 28 years old, and myself and my cousins who are in my age group have even gotten reprimanded from time to time for using our phones under the dinner table. Whenever this has happened it has always turned into a debate about when it is socially acceptable to use your phone at the dinner table. Even though I won’t fulfill my elders expectations, I do have a certain etiquette.

So how about you? If you celebrate Thanksgiving, will you be using your smartphone tomorrow at the dinner table?