The Rude Reality of Public Speakerphone Calls: Etiquette Experts Weigh In
It is an all too common yet incredibly annoying experience. You are sitting in a coffee shop, waiting room, airport terminal, or any other public place, and someone nearby starts talking on the phone using speakerphone. Whether you want to or not, you can hear every detail, from weekend plans to workplace gossip to doctor's appointment recaps. According to etiquette experts, this behavior is not just annoying—it is quite rude too.
Forcing Others into Private Conversations
"You are forcing those around you to participate in your private conversation," said Nick Leighton, an etiquette expert and host of the "Were You Raised by Wolves?" podcast. Unlike a traditional phone call, where only one side of the dialogue is audible, talking on speakerphone in public broadcasts everything into a shared space. This creates a disruptive environment for everyone nearby.
Rude and Dangerous Behavior
"This is both rude and dangerous," said Jodi R.R. Smith, the president of Mannersmith Etiquette Consulting. "First, it is rude to those forced to endure your own personal version of performance art. Second, callers should only be put on speakerphone after granting permission. Not all callers realize that their conversation is public and may have details they do not want the entire world to know."
The person on the other end may assume they are having a private exchange and broadcast personal information about you to the ears of strangers. Someone with bad intentions could hear sensitive financial or medical information, posing a significant safety risk.
Lack of Consent and Privacy Issues
That lack of consent is also a key issue, as the person did not necessarily want random people in line at the pharmacy to overhear their conversation. "It is also not polite to the person on the other end who may not realize they are on speakerphone and strangers are listening in," Leighton added.
Discretion is a crucial factor as well. Speakerphone calls tend to be louder, with exaggerated vocal tones that amplify the disruption. "Speakerphone etiquette dictates that you use it only in a public space," said Diane Gottsman, the author of "Modern Etiquette for a Better Life" and founder of The Protocol School of Texas. "You are sharing information that may be confidential. The other person may not know they are on speakerphone, and it interrupts and disrupts the people around."
Consideration for Shared Spaces
"Basically, confined spaces and loud noise and exaggerated gestures are not a good combination for other people's comfort level," she added. This behavior brings up issues with privacy, consent, safety, and consideration. But whether you are on a small, crowded bus or in a big terminal, you should be mindful of voice volume and disturbance.
"When others are around, any conversation—including those on speakerphone—should be kept to a minimum," Smith said. "We need to be conscious and respectful to those around us." She acknowledged that there can be exceptions—moments when using speakerphone might be briefly necessary. "You forgot your earbuds and need to type a note into your cell phone as the caller is explaining something to you," Smith said. "For a moment or two, yes, it is fine to have a quick conversation on speaker. But not a prolonged conversation."
Accessibility Considerations and Emergencies
There are also accessibility considerations. "It used to be the case that a cell phone directly on the ear of someone wearing a hearing aid caused the listener great discomfort," Smith said. "Thankfully, hearing aids have made great strides and those with Bluetooth allow the wearer to actually answer the phone directly into the hearing aid. But this is a point of privilege, and not everyone has or can afford these."
Gottsman emphasized that emergencies and accessibility needs deserve grace. "Those who have accessibility issues can use captions, and if they must use the phone on speaker, I believe we should give an exception if it is an emergency period," she said. "If it is just to call a friend, the same rules of courtesy would apply."
Best Practices for Public Phone Use
In general, it is probably best to pretend that speakerphone is not an option when you are out in public. "Holding the phone up to your ear or using earphones is good," Leighton said. "If you need to take a call and need to use speakerphone, it is kind to step away from other people if at all possible and keep your voice low." And if stepping away is not feasible? Keep it short.
"If you need to have a longer conversation or when you are using speakerphone, either schedule a time to call them back or find a quiet corner where you will not be distracting or disturbing others," Smith said. Ultimately, this is not about rigid rules—it is about recognizing that shared spaces require shared courtesy.
"Etiquette understands that perfection is not always possible," Leighton said. "But the key is that you at least try."
