TECH BYTE: Using Phone Etiquette

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Most of us have cell phones.

And just like there are rules at the dinner table, there are also ways to be polite while on the phone.

Some phone etiquette advice you hear nowadays might surprise you!

A recent article from The Washington Post explains that leaving a voicemail apparently is now a thing of the past, in most cases.

National Etiquette Expert Diane Gottsman also told CBS News you should text first before calling someone to see when they’re free to talk.

Your age, and relationship with someone also determines phone etiquette.

You’re obviously more likely to be more formal with a client or manager, than you would be with a family member or close friend.

Gottsman also says, don’t hammer call or text. The person you’re trying to reach might not get to you right away because they’re busy.

And don’t feel bad if you don’t answer every phone call either.

If it’s not a convenient time to answer, don’t feel pressured to pick up.

You can also set up automated texts to send someone if they’re calling at a bad time, to let them know you’ll get back to them later.

The Washington Post‘s article also recommends that you save an emotional conversation like an argument for a phone call, and a simple update or event planning, for a text.

Keep your texts shorter, and to the point. Gottsman reminds us that a text is not a novel or an e-mail.

If you’re around other people, and need to take a phone call, etiquette experts recommend keeping your voice down.

Most people don’t want to know your personal business. (That means no speakerphone, and most video calls in public too!)

And, if your phone isn’t on silent, avoid obnoxious ringtones to be courteous to those around you.

And going back to voice messages, you can take advantage of video messages, and Live Voicemail with Apple’s iOS 17 update.