Telephone Etiquette

Saturday, March 15. 2008

What happened to the days when people that used small business phone systems or even home telephone systems with respect? Have they forgotten their manners or is it just me?

I know that when I became at the age to answer the phone my parents taught me how to answer a phone, take a message and communicate. I taught my children the same etiquette. Seems though some children and even adults need a refresher course.

Here are a few things that really annoy me:

1. Teens that do not know how to use an answering machine. They let it ring and ring. The answering machine picks up. They hang up. Calling again. OK, if they didn't answer the first time what makes you think they will answer those twenty times you are now calling? Leave a message. Don't let the caller ID be your message.

2. Leaving a message that is rude. OK, this is relating to more teens than anything else right now. They have forgotten that maybe the parent is the one to collect the messages. You should have heard the one today. Mad? Oh yes I was very mad. My 7-8 year old talks better than that and with more respect.

3. Not stating who you are when the phone is answered. Asking for the person being told they aren't here and would you like to leave a message? Hanging up at that point. Then getting mad because your message was not given to their friend. IF the person answering the phone does not know who you are, how are they able to give a message? I don' t even try to do that.

My phone is a combination of business and personal. Most of my children's friends realize between certain hours that all those are big fat No-No's but there are one or two that do the above repeatedly. These are teens 16-18 and should know better.

Just my rant I guess. Learn how to use the phone not just dial it.

Posted by Pandora at 15:44 | Comments (2) | Trackbacks (0)

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I share your frustration. I'm fortunate that my daughter is old enough and has moved out on her own, so her friends don't leave bizarre messages anymore. ("Yo, fo shizzle! Call me back, b*tch!" Needless to say, my daughter got an earful over that one.)

But I've discovered some of my own friends are in the "let caller id by my message" category. ("Hey, I called the other day... why didn't you call me back?" Well, duh.)

Stuff like this doesn't make me like phones much.

#1 Kelly (Homepage) on 2008-03-16 04:09 (Reply)

I agree with everything you've said.

I'd just like to add: Parents, please teach your children to TALK when someone on the other line answers.

I can't tell you the number of times someone has called for my son or daughter, and instead of asking, "May I speak to......." They stammer and say, "Uh....... hello." I feel I have to drag what they want out of them.

Thanks for posting a rant many of us can relate to!

#2 TheMrs (Homepage) on 2008-03-16 09:34 (Reply)

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