Telephone Etiquette

It is part of us. What would we do without it? It is as common as apple pie and summer sunshine. As much a part of our lives as learning to walk and talk.

I remember one of my first jobs was a telephone operator for a finance company. I was trained by someone from Southwestern Bell (that is when they would come out to the business and train the operator). It didn't look like this, it was one that you had to pull the cord and actually plug it into the office extension (now I'm dating myself). Then we all had the dial phone, it went by different areas of town, like Pershing, Lehigh,Cypress,etc. Sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn't.

When we first moved to Canyon Lake we were on a party line, believe me there was no privacy. We took the game warden's calls when he went out on patrol and Mrs. Krause picked up everytime it rang and took part in the conversation telling everyone about her fruit trees and making jelly.

Now back to the reason for this blog. A few reminders. We have become so comfortable with using the telephone we sometimes forget the person on the other end depends on how you express yourself and the information you want to share.

Here are a few things to remember.

Give your name and your company name when the telephone is answered (slowly and clearly) before asking for the person you are requesting.

When speaking, think of the way you sound. Make sure you enunciate you words clearly and precisely. It is embarrassing to be asked to repeat what you are saying. Your voice reflects your courtesy, since that person on the other end of the line cannot see your facial expressions your "tone of voice" will need to express this.

Courtesy is expected when using the telephone just as if you are talking in person.

Try to avoid using your telephone in your car; road and background noise sometimes makes it difficult and you may be yelling into the phone without realizing what you are doing. It's not good to drive and talk, pull over.

Don't call from a restaurant where there is allot of background noise.

What is most important speak slowly when you leave your return number. Many folks are in such a hurry to get off the telephone they say the number quickly and the person (with a deaf ear) may not catch the number. However, many have cell phones that give you the call back or a device with caller ID but sometimes that number could be deleted.

Also, empty your voice mail box so that it doesn't get full.

You don't want to miss that one very important call.

 __________________________________________________________________________________________

___Calling to schedule your next home inspection? You can reach Carl Winters with Complete Inspection Service at 830-660-0131. We have been in business since 1994, Advanced Inspector License #3630 TREC and NAWT Certified for Septic Systems. Serving San Antonio, Bulverde, Canyon Lake, Boerne, Blanco, New Braunfels, Seguin, Wimberly___. Blog June 7, 2009 for Activerain Real Estate Network, Localism for Comal County Texas.

http://www.homeinspection4u.com   Email: realestateinspector@yahoo.com  830-660-0131

                                                        Thank You Carl & Ceil Winters

Need a septic pump? All Pro Pumping  www.allyoursepticneeds.com