Calling All Assistants

Nothing looks more unseemly than someone yelling into a cell phone held out in front of them tilted away, as though they were examining a radioactive rock just dropped from space. For some reason, speaking commands to computing devices has evolved from learned behavior which presumes that one must hold the device at arms length, tilt and then speak as though giving directions to a partially deaf, geriatric foreigner.

Although handy for showing off Siri's features, this communication form is best used for those public displays where a group is treated to what is usually a failed attempt at showing off voice recognition on your new phone.  If the invited on-lookers walked away, she would of course suddenly understand what you said.
 

Thankfully, Siri can be accessed and commanded without having to hold the iPhone out and yell at it or hold it perpendicular to your face.  She can discretely be called up from her slumber by simply raising the phone to your ear as though answering an incoming call when the phone is off lock.  After a second, the phone will beep letting you know Siri is ready for a new command.  A command that can be spoken into the phone as though you were on a call, thereby not annoying those around you (anymore than they may already be).

This feature can also be set and defeated in Siri settings, under General.  I would set "Raise to Speak" on for those times when you want to impress yourself and her and not call attention to yourself to others.