The main rules I follow are...
Proper cue calling. Ex. Light Cue 10 -- GO.
Not "Go Lights" or "Go Cue 10 -- um... Now. Wait. Yeah Now. GO!"
Turn off the mic before adjusting the headset or taking it off.
Don't eat or chew gum.
Keep the conversation show-related.
No talking during Stand-By's.
Stay off the call button unless you really need to talk to someone.
Keep the belt pack (if applicable) clipped on to your belt or waist band.
Do not comment about anyone's performance in the show, good or bad.
Let me elaborate on that last one a little bit more. When I was in high school we had an annual event called Fillies Follies, where our drill team would have a big end of year production with dancing such as tap, modern, jazz,
etc. It was usually pretty elaborate and needed a full tech week with at least one light board op/designer (usually me), 1 sound board op (sometimes a second for handling CD's), 2 followspots, and 2 stage managers (SM and ASM). For the event there were about 50 "Fillies" as our school referred to our drill team, and they had full use of the dressing rooms for doing their many costume changes. One night apparently one of our spot ops said "man would you look at the t!ts on her". Well little did he know that what is said on headset comes through a
clear-com speaker in the dressing rooms unless you go in there and turn the volume down. However I think the girls wanted the volume turned up so they could hear what was going on and what was up next, etc... Plus I think they were somewhat entertained by our at times randomness, and at one time commented that it was like a radio show. Well they didn't like spot op's comment too much and I think you can pretty much guess what happened after that. Let's just say we had to train a new
house left spot operator.
It was one of those things that you may not think much of, and when you think you know the people listening in, it's actually quite innocent. I mean come on, you have 50 girls dancing around stage in leotards!!! In HIGH SCHOOL! But always treat the headset as if the most important person in the building is listening in on your conversations.