Telephone and Cell Phone Etiquette Rule # 23
Rule:Good telephone etiquette requires that when you answer call-waiting, you should remember the first caller should be given priority. Reason:The old adage: First come, first served unless the second caller has an emergency. Application:Realize how inconvenienced you probably felt when you were the first caller and had to wait a long time. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Telephone and Cell Phone Etiquette Rule # 22
Rule:Always ask a telephone caller to please wait for you to get the person being called or to get the information needed. Reason:We should respect another’s time. Application:The caller may prefer to call back when the person he or she is trying to reach is more accessible. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Telephone and Cell Phone Etiquette Rule # 21
Rule:When you are talking to someone on the phone, don’t put someone on “hold” for more than 20 seconds without getting back to them to see if they want to continue holding. Reason:Everyone is busy. The caller may prefer to call back later. Application:After putting a caller on “hold” for about 20 seconds, check back with the caller and ask if he or she would like to continue holding. Say how long you think the wait may be. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Telephone and Cell Phone Etiquette Rule # 20
Rule:Don’t be rude when responding to unwanted phone calls. Reason:The way parents talk on the phone will be imitated by their children. Application:When a telemarketer calls, be polite, but decisive. Say, “I don’t make such decisions over the phone. Mail me something” or “Thank you, but I am not interested. Please put me on your ‘no call’ list.” Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Telephone and Cell Phone Etiquette Rule # 19
Rule:Teach your children that when they are leaving a message, to always give their name, their telephone number, and a brief message. Reason:If callers do not speak clearly and leave the necessary information, the one hearing the message may be unable to reply. Application:When you know Grandma is not at home, let your child call her and leave a message, asking grandma to please call him. Your child will enjoy having his call returned. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Telephone and Cell Phone Etiquette Rule # 18
Rule:Teach your children how to properly leave a message on a telephone answering machine. Reason:Good or bad habits are formed very early. You are teaching your child a skill he or she will need throughout life. Application:Sometime when you are out shopping with your child, let him call your home and leave a message. Your child will enjoy hearing his voice on the machine later. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Telephone and Cell Phone Etiquette Rule # 17
Rule:Use discretion when recording your outgoing message on your telephone answering device. An example of a bad message was reported in the October 8, 1997, Arkansas Democrat Gazette: “Hi, I’m probably here. I’m just avoiding someone I don’t like. Leave me a message, and if I don’t call back, it’s you.” Reason:Callers form an impression of us by our outgoing message. Application:Ask friends who call often to critique your outgoing message, so you can improve it, if needed. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Telephone and Cell Phone Etiquette Rule # 16
Rule:The outgoing message from your phone should never be unnecessarily long, “cute,” or musical. Reason:What may be “cute” to the owner of the phone, can be very annoying to a caller. Application:Record a message that is as short as possible, yet giving out the needed information. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Telephone and Cell Phone Etiquette Rule # 15
Rule:A good, outgoing message to leave on your telephone answering service, whether you have call notes, a voice mailbox, or a machine is “You have reached 000-0000. Please leave your message after the tone.” You may give more information, if you like. Reason:For privacy concerns it is not necessary to give the name of the household. Application:For an outgoing message from your home, it is a good idea for a male to record the message, especially if a female lives alone. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Telephone and Cell Phone Etiquette Rule # 14
Rule:Telephone message machines and call notes can be wonderful conveniences, but there are rules to be followed. For your outgoing message to callers, speak slowly and clearly. Reason:Callers need the information so they can leave their message quickly and confidently, knowing they are speaking to their intended party. Application:Check your outgoing message occasionally for accuracy and effectiveness. Electric power outages can erase your outgoing message, often without your knowing it. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Telephone and Cell Phone Etiquette Rule # 13
Rule:When you answer the phone and the caller wants to speak to someone else, don’t yell out the person’s name, telling him or her to come to the phone. Reason:Your shout is magnified on the phone, nearly deafening the caller. Application:Lay the receiver to the phone down and quietly find the person needed. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Telephone and Cell Phone Etiquette Rule # 12
Rule:Don’t tell a lie on the phone by saying, “He can’t come to the phone because he is in the shower” when the person being called simply does not want to talk to the caller. Reason:The ninth commandment. Application:Simply say, “He or she can’t come to the phone right now, may I take a message.” When a parent tells his or her child to lie on the phone because the parent does not want to take the call, the parent may inadvertently teach the child that it is all right to lie. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Telephone and Cell Phone Etiquette Rule # 11
Rule:If you answer the phone and the caller asks for a member of your household who is not at home, it is not necessary to tell the caller that you are home alone. Simply say, “I’m sorry, but he/she is not available. May I take a message?” Reason:For safety and privacy. Application:Teach your child never to tell a caller he is home without a parent present. The child may simply say, “My dad (or mom) is not available.” The child can ask the caller if he/she would like to speak to the baby sitter. That way the caller knows the child is not alone. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Telephone and Cell Phone Etiquette Rule # 10
Rule:Don’t talk on the phone while carrying on a conversation with someone in the room. Reason:It is annoying and confusing to the person on the phone. Application:If it becomes necessary to speak with the person in the room, excuse yourself for a minute from the phone call and return as quickly as possible. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Telephone and Cell Phone Etiquette Rule # 9
Rule:Don’t talk on the phone while eating or drinking. Reason:Sounds are magnified over the telephone. Application:If someone calls you while you are eating, ask if you may call them back. Ask the person to name the best time for you to call. (So you don’t call while they are eating.) Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Telephone and Cell Phone Etiquette Rule # 8
Rule:The individual who makes the telephone call is the one to say good-bye and hang up first, and if the telephone connection is broken, the caller replaces the call. Reason:If you both try to replace the call, you will hear only a busy signal. Application:In applying these rules, there is an exception: In business, the customer is expected to end the call. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Telephone and Cell Phone Etiquette Rule # 7
Rule:Teach young children how to dial 911 on the phone in case of an emergency, though they may not be old enough to answer the phone and take a message. Reason:For safety. Application:One idea is to paint the 911 numbers with a dab of nail polish and teach a child to start with the dot on the 9 near the base of the numbers and then move up to l, hitting it twice. If you practice this with your child, make sure the phone is unplugged. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Telephone and Cell Phone Etiquette Rule # 6
Rule:When you use the telephone and reach a wrong number, don’t just hang up. Always say you are sorry, and that you must have reached the number in error. Or, simply say, “Sorry, but I must have dialed the wrong number.” Reason:No one likes to be “hung up on” even when someone calls a number in error. The recipient of the call deserves an explanation. Application:The Golden Rule says, “Do unto others as you would have them do to you.” Recall the last time you rushed to answer your phone only to hear silence, then a loud click, and then the dial tone. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Telephone and Cell Phone Etiquette Rule # 5
Rule:When placing a telephone call consider the time of day (or night). The generally accepted rule says, “Don’t call anyone at home after 9:00 PM unless the call is expected, or the call is to report an emergency.” Reason:No one wants to be awakened by a ringing phone for a trivial conversation. Application:Teach your children to respect the right of “freedom from distress” of others. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Telephone and Cell Phone Etiquette Rule # 4
Rule:Consider using a mirror when you or your family members answer your phone. Reason:You will be more aware of how you are responding to the ring and the caller – tired, irritable, lazy, disconnected, or uncaring…. With a mirror you will be able to fill in the appropriate adjective. Application:Use humor, not scolding when you teach this rule to your family. For instance, demonstrate the various inappropriate ways by answering in a tired or irritable voice, etc. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Telephone and Cell Phone Etiquette Rule # 3
Rule:When talking on the phone, speak clearly. Don’t mumble, jumble, or garble your words. “Yo, Yeah, and Who’s this” are never as good as “Yes and Who may I ask is calling?” Reason:Have you ever called a place of business and heard “Blah, blah, blah…” like the individual was competing in a speed race? You probably had no idea if you had reached your intended location. Listening to an answer uttered at break-neck speed or in lazy jargon can be very disconcerting. Application:Practice speaking slowly and clearly. When repeating the same information often, such as your name and phone number or address, concentrate earnestly. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Telephone and Cell Phone Etiquette Rule # 2
Rule:When placing a telephone call, always identify yourself as soon as someone on the other end of the line says hello. Reason:Courtesy. The recipient of your call deserves to know who is calling. A phone call intrudes on another person’s time, by default. Application:Practice saying, “This is…. May I speak to….?” It takes at least five attempts to establish a habit. Our children imitate our every word and action. They need to know how to properly place a phone call, also. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Telephone and Cell Phone Etiquette Rule # 1
Rule:When you answer the telephone, smile! Reason:Our voice is all we have to communicate with over the phone. A smile is language the deaf can hear and the blind can see. It takes 14 muscles to smile and over 70 to frown. Application:Try smiling while you say hello in the mirror. Then try frowning, and you will hear a difference in your voice. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Table Manners Rule # 101
Rule:If you wear a dental appliance of some kind, remove it privately before you get to the table. Reason:Removing your appliance may be a normal part of your day, but when others see you do it, it is repulsive. Application:Be careful to remove your appliance and place it in a pocket or a purse. Wrapping it in tissue paper or a napkin invites the disaster of losing it or having it thrown away with the trash. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Table Manners Rule # 100
Rule:Parents should not reverse the place setting for a left-handed eater. Reason:Unfortunately, we live in a right-handed world. Reversing the utensils will make life more difficult for left-handed children once they are grown and out on their own. Application:Gently guide your left-handed children in maneuvering a place setting arranged for right-handed people. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
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