MINDING your manners was all so easy back in the day. You said please and thank you at the appropriate moment, if you were a child you kept your mouth shut, if you were woman you bowed to men’s seemingly superior knowledge, and if you were a man you held doors open.

But the world of modern-day manners is a minefield in comparison. And I’m not talking about passing the port either (it’s always to the left, apparently). Or how to socially kiss while wearing a wide-brimmed hat (best not…)

According to Debrett’s, the Mayfair folk who are the experts on British social skills, etiquette and style, the question they are asked most these days is when is it rude to use your mobile phone. Answer? Pretty much all the time in social situations, they’d have you know.

It’s pretty poor form to have it beside you at the dining table whether out or at home, so that clearly makes it a complete no-no to sit in a restaurant and take pictures of your food and post them on Facebook.

Taking calls, texting and repeatedly glancing at your screen is, it seems, almost as bad as breaking wind in front of the queen. Business moguls take note…

Next on the list of modern manners worries is knowing whether it’s ok to smoke e-cigarettes at work. It’s not. Vaping – a ridiculous made up word that describes the inhaling and exhaling of the vapour created by an e-ciggie, hence vaping rather than smoking – shows you are not focused on your work say Debrett’s sniffily, and may be distracting others in the process.

Us Brits are also very worried about how we kiss someone socially, what with all those silly mwah, mwah air kisses you see celebs doing. It’s now today’s answer to handshaking though I can’t see the folk down at Acomb Working Men’s Club feeling too chuffed about that. But if you’re in to social kissing is it one kiss or two? Such a dilemma!

Apparently older people would only expect one kiss, though if you’re into the double bubble, you should go for the right cheek first. Men take note. And an air kiss, while it might seem rude and impersonal, is sort of okay because at least you're not being intrusive. But whatever you do, no sound effects are required, so no puckering of lips and kissy kissy sounds please…

Next on the list of concerns is whether you can eat or do your make-up on public transport. I don’t think they mean chomping on a sandwich from the on-board train trolley while rattling over the points at Hitchin but more about dropping bits of Big Mac innards on your fellow passengers while strap-hanging on a bus.

Most inconsiderate, say Debrett’s so don’t do it. Especially if it smells. And as for doing your make-up while rattling over Lendal Bridge apparently makes you look disorganised. And you might smudge your mascara anyway.

We’re also very worried about reclining seats on aeroplanes – not surprising, given that if you do it can get you thrown off if the person behind takes exception and a row ensues. It is, say Debrett’s extremely selfish to throw your seat back on a day time short haul flight but if it’s long haul and you want a kip because it’s midnight you should ease your seat back ever so carefully. And whatever you do, keep your elbows in.

Back to public transport, we apparently agonise over whether we should give up our seat in case the person you’re offering it to is insulted that you think they need it. But the rule of thumb is to offer it to those who need it more than you do.

If, add Debrett’s, pregnancy or ‘decrepitude’ – I love that bit – are in any doubt, it’s best to quietly vacate your seat, move away and hope the intended recipient will get the hint and gravitate towards it. Rather like a collie shoo-ing the sheep, then.

On the technology front we shouldn’t be blind copying emails either, because after all it’s a bit of a sneaky thing to do, given that the primary recipient hasn’t a clue you’ve done it. It’s a sort of electronic tittle-tattle tale telling which would never do.

And finally, should we eat before everyone else round the table has been served? Absolutely not, you greedy pig! Never mind that you got served first and your food is lukewarm at best, being the first out of the starting blocks is the height of bad manners. And while you're at it, sit up straight and don’t talk with your mouth full….