It is strange that as email has taken over our lives so many of us are beginning to get a little sloppy about how we use a telephone! So I have a few dos and don’ts for this most important of instruments.
Do remember that the other caller cannot see your face, so it is important to be clear and use tone much more carefully to convey messages. Also, irony and sarcasm always work better with facial expressions.
As for humour - this is fine with friends and family, as they know just who you are and how warped or normal your sense of humour is. However, strangers and business contacts may not and humour does not always travel down a phone that well.
Do not leave messages on voicemail for someone who you are trying to contact because you want them to do something for you. There is nothing worse than a message asking you to call somebody who wants to sell you something! Messages should only be left for friends, family or if you want somebody to know you tried to contact them.
Beware the speaker phone. Only use when really necessary and always ensure that the other person knows they are on a loudspeaker – so they can be more careful with what they say.
Finally do not type all the way through a phone call - the tell tale tapping will give you away!
