If you don’t own a cellular phone, raise your hand. I recently said that to a group of thirty professionals. To everyone’s amazement, one person put up a hand. Most of us were not expecting to see any. Everywhere you go today, there are people around you with cell phones. If they are not talking on them, the devices are clipped to their belts or their handbags. You get the idea that having a wireless phone is as critical to life as a pacemaker or a portable oxygen tank. Much has been written and spoken about the appropriate use of cell phones, but some people still haven’t gotten the word. The rules are simple and straightforward.
Picture phone booths if you can. They once served an obvious purpose, even though they are becoming as rare as the rotary phone. They provided a place where people could go to make calls in private. Odd as this may seem to some, talking on the phone was not a public activity. Most of us do not want to hear or be involved in anyone else’s conversation.
If you must carry a phone at all times, get one that vibrates so you can receive calls without disturbing others. Go to a private spot, away from other people, to return calls. If you cannot find a place to be alone, lower your voice. The microphones in cellular phones are very sensitive so there is absolutely no reason to raise your voice.
Remember that talking on the phone in front of other people is rude. You send a message that the person in your presence is not as important to you as the one on the other end of the line. (This applies to friends and family as well as business associates and clients.) The key to successful business relations is making people feel valued. If you aren’t willing to do it, someone else will.
(c) 2009, Lydia Ramsey. All rights reserved. Reprints welcomed so long as article and by-line are kept intact and all links made live.
Author Resource:-
Lydia Ramsey is a business etiquette expert, professional speaker, corporate trainer and author featured in the Wall Street Journal and many other off-line and on-line publications. Lydia shares her business etiquette tips in her monthly e-zine and on Twitter. To register for these free services visit Manners That Sell today!
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