Good manners on the phone

 

It has been almost 135 years since Alexander Graham Bell (1847-1922) built the first usable telephone (1876). Today our existence is inconceivable without the phone. Telecommunications play an important role in business, our relationships, family, friends and social life. How many of us said at least once in life what a wonderful invention is the phone.

Don't let the phone ring more then 5 times

Good education is needed also when talking on the phone, even if it's the most insignificant conversation. When the phone rings, you must answer at the latest after the fifth call. Also, when we call someone, leave the device to ring five times, and only in special cases we leave it ring more. 

Don’t forget to say Hello and to be friendly

The way you start a telephone conversation varies from country to country.  For example in Germany, France, England, when lifting the handset, the one who is called says his name automatically and waits for a response. After this, the caller says his  name also.
There’s also a rule that says that the one who calls has to present himself after first saying  "Hello! "" Good evening "or" I am sorry to bother you, I am John Gate, can I talk to ... ". 
If it is a conversation related to your job, we will not say only the name but also the profession "I am engineer John Gate and I would like to speak to ...".  In this way we avoid to be questioned like Who asks? Let me see if ... ! "

Present yourself

After saying “Hello” it is obligatory to present yourself.
It is rude from a man, asking on the phone about a woman or a woman asking about a man, to not introduce himself / herself to the husband or wife of those persons he / she calls.

In everyday life we ​​face situations where we don't need to recommend: in conversations with family members or close friends who recognize our voice, or when we call the bank, railway station, airport. 

Don’t shout on the phone.

Use always a nice and friendly tone.

Don’t slam the phone

The general rule is that the one who called to end the discussion, unless the other person has good reason to do it. When you finish the conversation don’t slam the phone. Do it carefully.

Don’t talk for hours, say your message briefly

When you make a phone call the conversation has to be short. Don’t forget that the phone was invented for rapid transmitting of some important messages. An endlessly talk about the most insignificant topics has become a "disease" of today. If we have more to say then we should choose another way; we fix an appointment or we send an email. 

 

What to do when we have a guest and the phone rings?

The communication has to be short. We receive the message and we give the answer briefly, but without being rude. Then we apologize to our guests and also to the one who called us. It is unacceptable to have a long phone conversation in front of our guests. Our guest is more important then the one who calls.

 

Don’t ask information about a phone conversation that took place in your presence.

If the person that has been called doesn’t give information about the person that called, then we don’t have to ask who it was? What he wanted? Why are you angry? And so on. The conversation has to be confidential. We pretend we have not heard anything. This will show tact and politeness. 

When shall I call? 

There is no general rule but we must consider not to call too early in the morning or too late in the evening. Basically, you should know the program of your friends and you should respect it.

Don’t insult someone that called you by mistake

If it happened to call a wrong phone number, then we must apologize. Also, do not insult someone that called you by mistake. It is a behavior incompatible with the status of a civilized man.

When it is not recommended to use the phone 

There are situations when it is not recommended to use the phone. For example, you don’t call to address an invitation to a festive dinner, reception, engagement, wedding, baptism. In these cases it is recommended to write an invitation. Also, do not send condolences by phone, but in person or in writing. 
In life we ​​are often in the position of applicants. In this case we only call to set up an appointment or an audience. We increase our chances if we expose the problem personally. 

When you use someone elses phone don't make long conversations

If we have permission to use someone else’s phone then we have to make a brief communication. The fact that you asked permission to make a phone call, do not entitle you to solve all your problems now. 

If you are a guest and their phone rings don’t go to answer, only if the host asks you to do it.

Don't use someone's phone unless it's an emergency

If you spend some time alone in another house or  office don’t use the phone unless it is an emergency.

Do never go to visit someone without giving a call first to announce your visit

The phone is the best way to announce your visit in a house. Avoid making them a "surprise", even if they are your relatives!  However, do not go anywhere without giving a call in advance.