Probably the single most common etiquette conflict occurs, as Mr Ling puts it, when mediated communication interrupts co-present communication, as when two or more people are sitting at a table in conversation or negotiation and one of them gets, and answers, a call.

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For anyone familiar with the level of etiquette common on Xbox live, this kind of thing is pretty shocking.

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"Coughing etiquette or respiratory hygiene - coughing into a hanky - sounds a bit like common sense but it works and it will reduce the spread, " says Ms McNaught.

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