Telephone Manners

We meet and greet people every day, learn how to do it confidentily.

When calling someone on the phone or receiving a call, try to engage the other person in friendly general conversation before getting to the point of the call.  This is common courtesy and referred to as telephone manners. It will leave the person on the phone with a better impression of you.  Ultimately, it will allow you to feel better about yourself and help you become more comfortable with the person you are speaking.  Most of the time, after a conversation with someone, you can tell if you left a good impression.  If you have achieved a good impression, it will immediately boost your confidence and make you feel great!

Examples of Telephone Manners:

When You Are Calling A Friend And Their Parent Answers:

DO NOT!	Just say “Is Tommy there?”
DO!	Say for example, “Hi, Mr. Johnson. This is Billy. How are you today? (wait for their response, then say) Is Tommy there?”

When Answering A Call From An Adult Looking To Talk To A Parent:

DO NOT!	Just say “Ok” after they ask for your mother or father
DO!	Say for example, “Hi, Mrs. Furman. I saw your new car in your driveway yesterday.  It looks nice.  Do you like it?” Also remember not to yell to get the person the caller is looking for.  It is disrespectful to the caller because you will be yelling right in their ear. Instead, quietly find the person the call is for and tell them they are wanted on the phone

By displaying telephone manners and engaging people in conversation over the phone, particularly adults, you leave a better impression of yourself by showing you value their conversation.  If the adult happens to be the parent of your friend, you get the added bonus of having that parent feel more comfortable with you. Usually this makes them more likely to approve of their daughter or son’s friendship with you.  Every parent’s desire is to have well behaved, polite children.  They want their children to be around people with manners hoping the good behavior you possess will rub off on their own children. 

Remember your telephone manners and engage people in a little friendly conversation before getting to the point of the call. It builds confidence and shows you value their conversation.