etiquette |ˈetikit; -ˌket|
noun
the customary code of polite behavior in society
Here's one that crossed my mind a few weeks back. It's short and sweet and a good way for me to ease back into the blogosphere.
When you telephone me at home, and my wife answers, before you ask to speak with me, make a point to exchange a pleasantry with the lady of the house. "Hello Steve's wife, this is Bob. How are you? Did you have a good Christmas? Well, that's lovely... Is Steve available?"
There, wasn't that easy? Unless it's an emergency and you've no time for pleasantries, I find it terribly rude not to acknowledge or greet the person who answers, especially if you know them well.
photo credit: Christian Montone
Here's one that crossed my mind a few weeks back. It's short and sweet and a good way for me to ease back into the blogosphere.
When you telephone me at home, and my wife answers, before you ask to speak with me, make a point to exchange a pleasantry with the lady of the house. "Hello Steve's wife, this is Bob. How are you? Did you have a good Christmas? Well, that's lovely... Is Steve available?"
There, wasn't that easy? Unless it's an emergency and you've no time for pleasantries, I find it terribly rude not to acknowledge or greet the person who answers, especially if you know them well.
photo credit: Christian Montone
4 comments:
Agreed. No one is too busy to say hello.
But at the same time if you don't know them at all I find it a little awkward to strike up a conversation with a complete stranger. I've only met your wife once and I doubt she would remember me. Then again, I never call you at home, so I guess it's not an issue.
Welcome back Steve!
remember that Seinfeld episode where Elaine was always hanging up on the person who picked up the phone cause she didn't want to be engaged in chit chat? now, no one is saying that your wife will engage the in-calling party with annoying chit chat, but who's to say that the in-calling party may not engage your wife with inane chatter; the likes of which may make her cringe when she hears them on the other line. that being said, there's a fine line between carrying on a conversation with the person while waiting for whom you called to talk to and being brief and polite without boring them to death with trivial minutiae. personally, i attempt congeniality with whomever i speak with but sometimes its good to just get to the point and get down to verbal business when you get on the line!!
here here. i get that all time. "Is Lorna there?" What are these people, 12?
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