Telephone conversation. Managing phone calls. Taking a message Telephone Etiquette: What You Need To Know Introduction

Etiquette rules for cell phone use include:
· Do not download annoying or overly loud ring tones that are likely to antagonize the average person. This is certainly subjective, but you can use common sense to decide what is appropriate. Cell phone ring tones have been heard that contain swear words, hardly appropriate for young children's ears. Realistic gunfire sounds are truly frightening for some people. Is there anyone who would think offending parents or scaring someone half to death is polite? Really?
· It should be obvious that cell phones are turned off in theaters, but now many people put them on vibrate, then answer them when they go off. Answering a silent ring is extremely rude. Think about it; you are carrying on a conversation during a movie. If your phone vibrates, quietly excuse yourself if you absolutely have to answer it and do not take the call until you are in the lobby. If you miss the call, you can call the person back.
· Limit answering any cell phone call when you are with others. It makes your friends and colleagues feel that they are "second rate" when you keep taking cell phone calls. The people you are with should always take precedence over a cell phone call, unless it is an extremely urgent call. You may quickly check the caller ID to see who it is and, if it is important, ask, "Do you mind if I take this call? It's important." Then excuse yourself to take the call privately.
· Do not talk on your cell phone in a restaurant. It is rude, annoying, and inappropriate, yet it is one of the most common etiquette mistakes made today. If you receive an urgent call, excuse yourself from the table and go outside or to a private area of the building. Never talk on the cell phone while seated at the table, which leads us to another issue: Do not put your cell phone on the table! It is not sanitary or polite. You can hear your phone just fine from your purse, belt, or pocket; and putting it on the table gives the impression to your guests that you are waiting and hoping for something more interesting than their company.
· The earpieces for today's cell phones, such as Bluetooth, are a great convenience, but do not leave them on your ear when you are not actually talking on the phone. It is confusing to those around you if they cannot tell whether you are talking to them or to someone on the phone. It also looks a bit ridiculous and pretentious, as though you are so important you have to have a phone receiver to your ear at all times waiting for that call from the president. And, of course, in a restaurant or at a social event you should never have your phone's earpiece on.