Berlin - A cell phone's ringtone can be just about anything. It can imitate the ring of an old-fashioned telephone, reproduce a snappy 1980s pop song or even sound like a frog ribbeting.

But in particular social situations it's best to play it safe when setting the ringtone. While out with a group of friends or business associates, a straight-forward ringtone or a silent vibration are stylistically the most elegant choices. It could put others off, if the ringtone sounds like a toilet flushing.

Simply put, ringtones are a style statement just like clothing, shoes and make-up. They say a lot about the person who owns the phone. A person's musical taste, revealed in a ringtone, can be an indication of what he or she is like personally, said Agnieszka Zyluk of ringtone provider Jamba in Berlin.

"We don't easily get the opportunity to thumb through the person's record collection. A ringtone says as much about a person and it's easier to get it across," said Zyluk. This is one reason why Jamba has gone to great lengths to research its customers.

The lists of songs that have been grouped together are not really meant to be strict and meaningful, but they can be helpful when meeting new people, Zyluk said.

"If someone has downloaded a song by Bob Dylan or Jimi Hendrix to his cell phone, this person is more than likely very pensive and interested in many different things. It's a sign that he or she is creative, clever and open-minded.

On the other hand, if the hectic sound of the song Firestarter by the band The Prodigy eminate from the cell phone, its owner most likely has weird tastes and an adventurous character, said Zyluk, a marketing expert.

That person embraces risk and revels in exciting experiences in contrast to a person who chooses music by Britney Spears or Christina Aguilera who prefer to go to discos and go out with friends, said Zyluk.

New social rules are developing around ringtones. Etiquette expert Salka Schwarz of Berlin advises people not to load random ringtones on to their cell phone.

"People tend to sort each other into categories, and the question is in which one do we land," said Schwarz. Each of us can have some influence in the categorization - positive or negative - through the ringtones we select. The image of a singing rabbit can be superimposed on the person holding the cell phone.

"People who select a soft rock melody will surely be viewed by others as romantic," said Schwarz. "There are people who consider such a choice embarrassing or a bit cocked."

What category the person lands in is up to the other person, not just the owner of the cell phone. There's little chance of something going amiss with a completely ordinary ringtone. On the other hand, someone who doesn't want to be considered boring or unimaginative should look for something creative, Schwarz said.

Strict rules apply to ringtones at the office or in any other professional situation.

"In business it's imperative to select a ringtones prudently," said behavioural coach Monika Brett of Baden-Baden. "The central question is does the ringtone suit me and the company?"

Bank employees are better off selecting a ringtone that's not obtrusive or insistent because in their job a serious attitude is foremost. A bold ringtone can disturb customers or raise a smile, which can undermine an employee's aura of competence.

A style statement doesn't always have to be limited; it can also create possibilities. Michael Grundmann of Munich has found a way to outwardly pursue his hobby and seek out like-minded people.

"I am an absolute fan of the Simpsons and for years have had the television comedy show's theme song on my cell phone," said the 32-year-old. As a result, he's made contact with a lot of other people who also are fans of the chaotic American cartoon family.

"I've been approached in the underground after my cell phone rang and I've received shows of support when my phone rings while out in a pub."

Style coach Jan Schaumann of Berlin recognizes that unusual ringtones are a sign that the individual is hoping for contact with people who share the same interests.

"A person who downloads the Star Wars theme song is hoping it will help him reach others who share the same interest," Schaumann said. So, a ringtone can not only announce that the boss or a bothersome former girlfriend is calling, it can also expand one's circle of friends. It just has to match one's own style. (dpa)