Today is Friday, so this post is on interpersonal competence.
Interpersonally competent people are polite. Lately, I’ve found that cell phones create many of the impolite moments we experience in our daily lives. For some reason, it seems that many people think that the rules of etiquette don’t apply when they’re on their cell phones.
Here are some suggestions for polite cell phone behavior:
- Put your cell phone on vibrate when you are in a meeting – better yet, turn it off and let the caller leave you a message.
- When you are engaged in a conversation and expecting a very important call, tell the other person that you might have to take a cell phone call. Answer the call, and ask if you can get back to the person on the phone. Return to your face to face conversation as soon as possible.
- Choose a professional sounding ring tone. Often, it’s best to use the default ring tone that comes from your phone’s manufacturer. Set the volume level to one that you can hear but doesn’t blare.
- Avoid speaking loudly. Lower your chine and speak directly into the microphone when you are making a call. Other people don’t want to hear your side of a conversation.
- Avoid discussing confidential information in public. There are some people who eavesdrop on conversations. You never know when you might inadvertently reveal confidential information by discussing it at the wrong place and wrong time.
- And one final one – avoid using your phone in a restroom. People don’t like to or want to hear toilets flushing during a conversation.
That’s it for today. Thanks for reading. Log on to my website www.BudBilanich.com for more common sense. Check out my other blog: www.CommonSenseGuy.com for common sense advice on leading people and running a small business.
I’ll see you around the web, and at Alex’s Lemonade Stand.
Bud
PS: Speaking of Alex’s Lemonade Stand – my fundraising page is still open. Please go to www.FirstGiving.com/TheCommonSenseGuy to read Alex’s inspiring story and to donate if you can.
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