dear AJ
have a look at this document which may give you a further knowledge about whatever problem arises on board. You could use your knowledge to confront reckless passengers.
Hope it helps
http://www.jaa.nl/section1/jars/443844.pdf
what you mentioned is on page 9, the document itself is quite thick but it deserves to be read by now and then just clarify that pax quite often make up their on rules either mentioning your collegues on other flights with the same airline or a different one.
Airlines in europe are almost standardized to the same regulation however some company policies i have not heard of someone permitting the use of mobile phone yet.
Certainly your senior acted professionally and surely gave a clear example of how much we are into safety and security.
PF