Be Polite on the Phone

Increasingly, as texting and other forms of communication become more popular, basic telephone etiquette becomes less and less common. In both business and personal settings, it's important to be courteous to everyone. Check Step One for some helpful hints on staying polite on the telephone.

Steps

1. When calling, identify yourself right away - even with good friends.
2. Call back if you are the caller and the phone gets disconnected.
3. If someone is on the phone and you must speak to him/her, say "Excuse me, can I talk to you for a minute? It's important."
4. When you are on the phone and you need to speak to someone else, say, "Please excuse me, I need to answer a quick question."
5. Refrain from asking questions or making comments about a phone conversation that takes place in your presence but does not concern you.
6. When you call someone, ask if it is a good time to talk or if you should call back later.
7. If a phone conversation goes on longer than is convenient, say, "May I call you later?"
8. Try not to call after 9:30pm or before 9:00am unless it is urgent.
9. Always offer to take a message, write the message down, and give it to the right person.
10. When taking a phone message, be sure the message is clear to you. If necessary, ask the caller to repeat the message and to spell his/her name. Always read the telephone number back to the caller to make sure you wrote it down correctly.
11. Try not to make calls during the dinner hour.
12. If you must answer the phone during a meal, tell the caller you are eating and ask to call him/her back when you have finished your meal.
13. When you answer the phone, and someone asks for you, say, "This is she," or "This is he."
14. When someone asks, "Who's this?" say, " To whom do you wish to speak?" Do not tell him/her your name.
15. When someone calls, ask, "Who is this please?" or "Who's calling, please?" or "May I tell him/her who's calling?" Say, "Just a moment, please," set the phone down, and find the person who is wanted on the phone rather than yelling for him/her.
16. Choose whether or not to return unsolicited messages or voice mails.
17. If you receive a solicitation call, state that you are not interested, say thank you, and hang up.
18. Do not carry on an extended phone conversation when you are visiting or you have a visitor.
19. When waiting for a call, say so at the beginning of a phone conversation.
20. Acknowledge partners or spouses when you phone.
21. When using a public phone, be aware of others who may need to use the phone and keep your conversation brief.

Related Articles

• Be Polite to Everyone
• Be Polite if You Hate Talking on the Phone
• Answer the Phone Politely
• Get off a Phone Call Politely
• Practice Cell Phone Etiquette

See also

• Call Work when You're on Call
• Accept a Job Offer over the Phone
• Follow Up After a Phone Interview
• Call in Sick when You Just Need a Day Off
• Answer the Phone Politely
• Make a Social Phone Call
• Block a Number on Verizon
• Call 911
• Speak Professionally on the Phone
• Call a Person That Has Blocked Your Number

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