I've been traveling internationally for work for 3 years now and I've learned lounge etiquette the hard way - by making mistakes and observing others. Thought I'd share some tips that nobody tells you but everyone expects you to know.

This is especially for first-time premium card holders who are new to lounges. I was that person in 2023, walking into a Dubai lounge with my new Infinia card, not knowing any of these unwritten rules.

---

1. Shower Etiquette (IMPORTANT)

Most international lounges have showers. Here's what you need to know:

DO:
• [YES] Keep it to 15-20 minutes max (especially if there's a queue)
• [YES] Use the provided towels and toiletries (they're complimentary)
• [YES] Hang wet towel on rack or put in designated bin
• [YES] Wipe down the shower area after use (basic courtesy)
• [YES] Check if shower is occupied before knocking repeatedly

DON'T:
• [NO] Spend 45 minutes in there when people are waiting (I've seen this, it's rude)
• [NO] Leave your used towel on the floor
• [NO] Take toiletries from shower rooms (shampoo bottles, etc.) - they're for in-shower use, not to carry
• [NO] Shave in the shower (use the sink area, seriously)

I once waited 50 minutes for a shower at Singapore lounge because someone was basically doing a spa treatment inside. Don't be that person.

---

2. Phone Call Rules

DO:
• [YES] Take work calls in designated phone booths (most premium lounges have them)
• [YES] Step out to the corridor for longer calls
• [YES] Use earphones if watching videos/calls
• [YES] Keep your voice down if you must take calls at your seat

DON'T:
• [NO] SPEAKER PHONE IN THE LOUNGE (I cannot stress this enough - this is the worst offense)
• [NO] Loud personal calls discussing family drama for 30 minutes
• [NO] Video calls at full volume
• [NO] Conference calls on speaker in the seating area

The number of times I've heard full-volume speaker phone calls in lounges... people have zero self-awareness. Don't be that person.

---

3. Food & Drink Etiquette

DO:
• [YES] Take what you'll actually eat
• [YES] Go back for seconds/thirds if you're hungry (that's fine)
• [YES] Try a little bit of everything if you want
• [YES] Ask lounge staff if you can't find something

DON'T:
• [NO] Pile your plate with 10 items and waste half of it
• [NO] Take food/drinks to carry on your flight (I've seen people wrapping sandwiches in tissue to take away - tacky)
• [NO] Hoard alcohol like you're stocking a bar (yes, it's unlimited, but control yourself)
• [NO] Complain loudly about food quality (if you don't like it, don't eat it)

Special note on alcohol:
Yes, it's free. Yes, it's unlimited (usually). No, you shouldn't drink 8 beers and get drunk before your flight. I've seen people stumble out of lounges. Airlines can deny boarding if you're visibly drunk.

---

4. Seating Courtesy

DO:
• [YES] Use one seat per person (obvious but...)
• [YES] Keep your bags on the floor or luggage rack, not on seats
• [YES] Choose a smaller table if you're alone (save 4-seaters for groups)
• [YES] Offer to share a large table if lounge is crowded

DON'T:
• [NO] Occupy 3-4 seats with your bags, jacket, laptop, etc. when lounge is full
• [NO] Put your feet up on seats (I've seen this at lounges, it's disgusting)
• [NO] "Reserve" seats for friends coming later when people are standing
• [NO] Camp out at a dining table for 3 hours working on laptop when people want to eat

Seat hogging is common and annoying. Be considerate.

---

5. Work Area Etiquette

DO:
• [YES] Use designated workspaces if available
• [YES] Keep keyboard typing noise reasonable
• [YES] Take video calls in phone booths
• [YES] Clean up your workspace when done

DON'T:
• [NO] Set up a full office at a dining table (laptop, chargers, papers everywhere)
• [NO] Loud typing on mechanical keyboards (this happened to me in Singapore - guy was typing SO LOUD)
• [NO] Take client calls on speaker
• [NO] Spread out across 2 tables

---

6. Bathroom Etiquette

DO:
• [YES] Flush (basic, but needs to be said)
• [YES] Wash hands
• [YES] Use hand dryer or paper towels and dispose properly
• [YES] Report to staff if washroom is dirty/needs supplies

DON'T:
• [NO] Leave the toilet unflushed (I've seen this in premium lounges, shockingly)
• [NO] Wet the entire sink area and floor
• [NO] Use and dump 20 paper towels on the counter
• [NO] Brush teeth and spit all over the sink (use a napkin)

Premium lounge ≠ excuse for basic hygiene failures.

---

7. Guest Etiquette

DO:
• [YES] Know your guest policy (1 free guest? 2? None?)
• [YES] Register your guest at reception (don't sneak them in)
• [YES] Pay for extra guests if your card allows (usually ₹2000-3000 per guest)

DON'T:
• [NO] Try to sneak in 2-3 guests when you're only allowed 1
• [NO] Argue with staff about guest policy (it's on your card terms, read it)
• [NO] Ask strangers to "swipe their card" to let your guest in (I've been asked this - bizarre)

---

8. Staff Interaction

DO:
• [YES] Be polite and respectful (they're just doing their job)
• [YES] Say thank you when they serve/clean
• [YES] Ask politely if you need something
• [YES] Report genuine issues calmly

DON'T:
• [NO] Snap fingers to call staff (seen this way too often)
• [NO] Yell at staff for lounge policies they don't control
• [NO] Make a mess and expect staff to clean it instantly
• [NO] Treat them like servants (have some class)

You're in a premium lounge because you have a premium card, not because you're royalty.

---

9. Luggage Management

DO:
• [YES] Keep bags close to your seat
• [YES] Use luggage racks if provided
• [YES] Put bags under your seat/table

DON'T:
• [NO] Leave large suitcases in walkways (tripping hazard)
• [NO] Put bags on seats when lounge is crowded
• [NO] Leave bags unattended for 20+ minutes (security risk)

---

10. Time Management

DO:
• [YES] Keep track of boarding time
• [YES] Leave lounge 30-40 mins before boarding (international flights)
• [YES] Set alarms if you're napping

DON'T:
• [NO] Get so comfortable you miss your flight (I almost did this in Dubai)
• [NO] Assume lounge staff will remind you (they won't)
• [NO] Rush out 10 mins before boarding and blame lounge for being "far from gate"

---

Cultural Differences

Some lounges have specific cultural norms:

Middle East lounges (Dubai, Doha):
• More formal, dress modestly
• Prayer rooms available, respect those using them
• Less alcohol consumption visible (though available)

Asian lounges (Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo):
• Very quiet, people don't talk loudly
• Super organized, queue for food properly
• Shower rooms are spotless because people maintain them

European/US lounges:
• More relaxed, casual
• Alcohol is openly consumed
• Louder conversations acceptable

Adapt to the environment you're in.

---

Things I Learned the Embarrassing Way

• Don't fill your water bottle from the wine/beer tap (thought it was water, got red wine all over my white shirt in Singapore)

• Buffet spoons are serving spoons, not eating spoons (used a serving spoon to eat soup, got weird looks)

• Some lounges have dress codes (got denied at a European lounge for wearing flip-flops and shorts)

• Priority Pass has visit limits (went to lounge, card declined, realized I'd used all 8 annual visits already)

• Not all lounges accept all guests for free (tried to bring my wife, they asked for ₹3000 - my card only covers me)

---

Final Thoughts

Lounge access is a privilege that comes with premium cards. Don't abuse it.

The basic rule: Behave like you're in a nice hotel lobby, not your living room.

Be considerate, be clean, be respectful. Everyone's there to relax before a flight - don't ruin it for others.

---

What lounge etiquette violations annoy YOU the most? Let me know in comments!