Rant

[talon]

Phone etiquette.

This is a business.

Would it hurt you to act in a professional manner when calling for someone at a business?

I know you probably think it's all cutesy and chummy to call and ask, "Is (insert nickname) there?" but it just delays your call.

Why?

Because it's a

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<p><lj-cut><p>Phone etiquette.<p>This is a business.<p>Would it hurt you to act in a professional manner when calling for someone at a business?<p>I know you probably think it's all cutesy and chummy to call and ask, "Is (insert nickname) there?" but it just delays your call.<p>Why?<p>Because it's a <i<business</i>, not a private residence. Most homes only have <i>one</i> person name Mark or Sally there, but a business might have 2 or 3 or - if it's large enough - 10 or more people there with that first name. If you're suing a nickname, how do you know that other employees know that person by that nickname? Not everyone knows Mark Jones as "Bitsy" or Sally Smith as "Slugger". And being a business, unless the person is ill, they are <i>supposed</i> to be working during business hours, either in their office, somewhere in the building, or possibly in meetings or training off site, but still working, making them technically "here".<p>So, just <i>assume</i> that Mark or Sally is here.<p>How hard is it to ask, instead, "May I speak with Mark Jones/Sally Smith?" or even the crass "Gimme Mark Jones/Sally Smith." or simply say their name: "Mark Jones." <p>I absolutely detest the "Is (insert name) there?"<p>Stop it.<p>Right now.<p></lj-cut>