Phone Etiquette

[GhostofAnakin]

When someone calls you and leaves a message on your machine, do you always return the phone call when you see the message or does it depend on the message?

 

In regards to the latter, would you return the call if the caller explicitly states they're calling wondering if you want to do something RIGHT THEN?  For instance, if a friend calls to ask you if he and his kids can come over for a swim THIS AFTERNOON, but you don't see the message until much later that night or even the next day, do you still call him back as soon as you see the message?  Or do you wait until the next time you're talking to him and just mention in passing, "sorry about not getting back to you the other day, but ..."?

 

Assuming you have caller ID, if someone calls but does not leave a message, do you call them back to see what they want?  Or do you figure it wasn't important since they didn't leave a message and not bother?

[Gorgon]

You call them back not bothering to dial your answering machine. Who uses those anymore. If they want something important they will text you.

[Hurlshort]

I say you call them back when you get a chance and give your regrets that you were not available to meet up.  

 

However it is much easier just to text this stuff nowadays.  Calling is only for complicated conversations.

[Humanoid]

I have an answering machine built into my phone (which I have mostly as an afterthought), I've maybe checked it twice in five years since the landline is really only there for DSL and no one important ever calls me on that number. I haven't changed the stock message so the caller has no way of knowing who they've reached.

 

It was awkward when I found one of the ancient messages was a wrong number from a hospital trying to tell someone that a relative of theirs was terminal. :|

Edited July 14, 2013 by Humanoid

[BruceVC]

When someone calls you and leaves a message on your machine, do you always return the phone call when you see the message or does it depend on the message?

 

In regards to the latter, would you return the call if the caller explicitly states they're calling wondering if you want to do something RIGHT THEN?  For instance, if a friend calls to ask you if he and his kids can come over for a swim THIS AFTERNOON, but you don't see the message until much later that night or even the next day, do you still call him back as soon as you see the message?  Or do you wait until the next time you're talking to him and just mention in passing, "sorry about not getting back to you the other day, but ..."?

 

Assuming you have caller ID, if someone calls but does not leave a message, do you call them back to see what they want?  Or do you figure it wasn't important since they didn't leave a message and not bother?

Interesting post, I do several things around phone etiquette

 

I'll be honest I have a wide range of people that tend to phone me from good lifelong friends to people that I met on some all weekend party the previous week and I react differently to them depending on the nature of the phone call and how I feel at the time

 

• I always phone my good friends and family  back, sometimes it may be a few hours later.
• I generally ignore any missed  call I see if I don't know the number and they don't leave a message
• If I know a number but I really don't want to speak to the person and they leave a message I'll phone them back the next day
• I don't respond to unwanted SMS until I feel the need to, this can be 24 hours later.
• The most serious calls are generally when someone tries to phone you and then sends an SMS explaining why they are trying to reach you
• This doesn't apply to work hours where I answer all calls if I can

[Krookie]

I'm probably one of the few people around here that has really grown up with a cell phone for the majority of my life. I got my first one when I was 11 or 12 and now I'm 21. I can honestly say almost no one in my generation calls anyone. To the point where people will take notice if you're one of the few that do, and people will be like "Why the hell does Joe always call everyone? Why can't he just text us?" 

 

I think it's actually kind of an underlying problem for a lot of people who absolutely bomb phone interviews because their phone presence is so weak. 

[Agiel]

 

"Believe it or not, Agiel isn't at home

Please leave a messaaage at the beep

I must be out, or I'd pick up the phone

Where could I beeee?

Believe it not, I'm not hooome."

 

Alternatively:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsSROvcZWhY

 

I'm probably one of the few people around here that has really grown up with a cell phone for the majority of my life. I got my first one when I was 11 or 12 and now I'm 21. I can honestly say almost no one in my generation calls anyone. To the point where people will take notice if you're one of the few that do, and people will be like "Why the hell does Joe always call everyone? Why can't he just text us?" 

 

I think it's actually kind of an underlying problem for a lot of people who absolutely bomb phone interviews because their phone presence is so weak. 

 

I think I do a stellar job with phone interviews because I do insist on calling everyone; in fact, I'm a bit annoyed whenever someone resorts to texting rather than calling on me at a time he or she ought to know I'm free at.

Edited July 14, 2013 by Agiel

[BruceVC]

I'm probably one of the few people around here that has really grown up with a cell phone for the majority of my life. I got my first one when I was 11 or 12 and now I'm 21. I can honestly say almost no one in my generation calls anyone. To the point where people will take notice if you're one of the few that do, and people will be like "Why the hell does Joe always call everyone? Why can't he just text us?" 

 

I think it's actually kind of an underlying problem for a lot of people who absolutely bomb phone interviews because their phone presence is so weak. 

 

This will change when you have a job or at least a sales orientated job.

 

You can't SMS customers to make appointments or discuss prospective deals or meetings

Edited July 14, 2013 by BruceVC

[Rosbjerg]

I can honestly say almost no one in my generation calls anyone. To the point where people will take notice if you're one of the few that do, and people will be like "Why the hell does Joe always call everyone? Why can't he just text us?"

Hmm that explains a lot actually...

[Walsingham]

I'm told I'm very good on the phone. But as far as I am concerned I'm a total bastard. I always call screen, and often only reply by text.

 

I hate receiving or sending phonecalls. They are tantamount to a long pole coming in through the window and prodding one firmly in the ear. They interrupt whatever you (or they) are doing.

 

Phones should function like a good PA. The technology is there.

[Hurlshort]

I've always hated talking on the phone, in fact I've ended a relationship just to avoid talking to the girl over the phone during my winter break.

 

But I also don't really like to text.  I'm not a huge fan of face to face conversations either.

 

So I guess I'm against communication in general. 

[Rosbjerg]

That's gotta be hard as a teacher?

[Humanoid]

I'm awful at texting, it takes me a good few minutes just to compose a short one. But I've communicated to (in person, natch) most people with reason to contact me to not expect responses unless it's something that specifically requires an answer. I'm also limited to 100 messages every six months anyway due to my minimalist prepaid phone account ($30 per six months) - but then I probably only do one or two a month anyway.

[Hurlshort]

That's gotta be hard as a teacher?

 

Nah, I've mastered the art of facial expressions.  All I really need is a smoldering glare, disdainful grimace, and a sarcastic smirk to handle classroom management.  It works in parent conferences as well.     

[Walsingham]

Going back to the OP. I take it you have been accused of transgressing?

[Gorgon]

A phone call can be a nuisance, a text you can see right away so you know what it's about. That makes it a good way to introduce yourself.  I wouldn't hesitate to say texting is more polite. 

[GhostofAnakin]

Going back to the OP. I take it you have been accused of transgressing?

 

No, I had just received one of said phone calls where the person wanted to do something at that very moment he called, but I didn't see the message until much later that night.  So it just got me to wondering what other people would do in that sort of situation.  More of a curiosity thing.

[Walsingham]

 

Going back to the OP. I take it you have been accused of transgressing?

 

No, I had just received one of said phone calls where the person wanted to do something at that very moment he called, but I didn't see the message until much later that night.  So it just got me to wondering what other people would do in that sort of situation.  More of a curiosity thing.

 

 

Now you mention it I have a friend who does exactly this. He gets annoyed. I refuse to care. I do not have a duty to be constantly watching my phone.

[Gorth]

Let it be said up front that I hate phones passionately. Especially the mobile ones. It's some Trojan device created by the denizens of hell to make life miserable for mankind because they were stupid enough to embrace it.

 

Apart from that, I have two very distinct attitudes. On my home phone (land line) I don't have a message bank nor Caller ID (because nobody I know has ever been given that number). Only calls are spam calls and sometimes I just hang up, sometimes I lead them on a merry chase if having had a hard day (if they can waste my time, I can waste theirs).

 

My work phone is different and anybody with legitimate business calling me has been added with name etc. as contact. Depending on who calls, I decide whether or not getting back to them is a priority or not.