Etiquette

I agree with all of the rules of etiquette in our textbook this week.  Cell phones should be used for business purposes or personal use, and there is a time and place when it is appropriate.  It is never appropriate at dinner or a movie theater or especially during church.  Answering machine messages should be short, professional and to the point.  You never know who is going to be leaving you a message, whether it is a college buddy or a potential employer.  I have been on several conference calls where it is important to identify yourself when you speak so that everyone knows who is speaking as you don’t have the face to face interaction or voice recognition that you would at meetings in a conference room.  I always communicate in the workplace during normal work hours and do not call anyone’s cell phone early in the morning or in the evening.  I often send an email before I leave work and usually come to work in the morning and find a response in my email inbox.  And lastly, it is especially important not to use silly user names or ring tones, especially in the office.  We use instant messaging in my office and we use our names and all of the cell phones pretty much have the same iPhone ring to them.

I am thoroughly annoyed by people who insist on talking on their cell phones in public places.  I have found myself thoroughly frustrated when people hold personal phone calls in line at the post office, at the checkout at the grocery store, at their desk at work or driving in traffic in front of me.  I feel that call waiting is very rude and is like being interrupted which is one of my biggest pet peeves.  Unless you get a phone call while you are expecting an important call, I think it is okay to warn the person that you may have to end the call because you were waiting for an important call but that you will call them back right away.