TELEPHONE ETIQUETTE
Your tone of voice on the telephone is your only means of conveying courtesy. Your voice should be friendly and warm, giving no indication of any emotional disturbance. Speak clearly and distinctly in your natural tone, volume, and pitch. This is important whether it is personal or business matters.
In business, your employer will give you instructions about how to answer the phone. in personal calls at home, "Hello", but do not identify yourself by name when you answer. Let the caller ask for the person, then identify yourself. If you are the one being called, then ask "Who is calling, please?" before giving any information concerning anyone's whereabouts or schedule. If the caller will not give his/her name, do not give the requested information. This is correct and is a safety precaution.
CELL PHONES: This day and age, almost everyone has a cell phone. Cell phones can be a wonderful tool if used correctly. Never take priority to your cell phone when speaking with someone else. It is okay to look at your cell phone to see who is calling, but it is considered rude to take the call. When driving an automobile, it is not only rude, but dangerous when talking on a cell phone. In many states, it is against the law to talk on a cell phone while driving. Some states allow the use of a hands-free device, while others strictly ban the entire act. Somehow cell phones make the individual lose their trane of thought when operating a motor vehicle. If you must speak on the phone while in an automobile, pull over to the side of the road or in a parking lot to make your phone call. Nothing is too important that a phone call cannot wait until you find a place to chat safely. Phone calls should never be made while in a restaurant, on an airline, or in a public building outside of an entryway or main lobby. It is acceptable to make your phone calls when you are in a private environment.
SOME COURTSEY POINTS: (1) Make sure you are dialing the correct number. (2) Keep your conversations with busy people as brief as possible. Plan in advance what you are going to say or ask. Always identify yourself. (3) Identify yourself to the person you are calling, if they do not recognize your voice. NEVER make your identity a guessing game. (4) Time your calls (unless an emergency) so there is the least possible interference with the occupation and regular activities of the person you are calling. (5) Make business calls well before the close of office hours. (6) When employed, ask your friends to call after working hours. (7) Treat wrong number calls politely, whether you are the caller or the recipient. (8) Wait for a dial tone before you begin to dial. (9) Let the phone ring several times when you are calling another individual. Eight to ten rings is not too many. (10) When you are asked to return a call or have promised to call back, do it, as scheduled.
Never ever make a long distant at someone else's home unless you have permission to do so. You should also leave some money to cover your calls rounded to the nearest dollar. Under no circumstances should you "forget to inform" the homeowner you made some long distance calls. Being forgetful is no excuse for such behavior.
NO ONE is so important that he/she can disregard good manners!
PERSONAL APPEARANCE
CONVERSATION
TELEPHONE ETIQUETTE
ENTERTAINING
TIPS FOR GUESTS
TABLE MANNERS
EATING OUT AT RESTAURANTS
TIPPING
SPECIAL MANNERS WITH SPECIFIC FOODS
TOASTS
GETTING A JOB
BEING A BOSS OR MANAGER
ETIQUETTE AT WORK
ETIQUETTE AT HOME
DRIVING AN AUTOMOBILE
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