Etiquette

Cell Phone Etiquette

Cell phones have become an indispensable way of communicating with people at anytime anywhere. As more and more of us use cell phones in public places, we shouldn’t forget the people around us. Here are a few tips on cell phone etiquette.

• In public, always remember that others can hear your conversation (at least your end of the conversation). Ask the caller to hold for a moment and go to a more private location away from others.
  
• In public places put your cell phone on vibrate or the ringer on very quiet.
  
• Many people talk louder when they are on a cell phone. Talk in a normal voice, better yet, a little quieter.
  
• Just as you wouldn't carry on a conversation in a church, theater, a training session or conference, you shouldn’t be making cell phone calls there either. Take it outside.
  
• If you must answer a call in public and can’t move to a private location keep the conversation short.
  
• Do you really need to be reached all the time? Turn your cell phone off. Most cell phones have voicemail, the caller can leave you a message.

Email Etiquette

Email is becoming a big part of our lives. It makes communicating with others fast, easy and convenient. But because it’s fast, easy and convenient you can open your email box and find 50 email messages. That’s a lot of email to read. Make it easy on the reader and follow the suggestions below when you send an email.

• Make the subject line specific to the email. Don’t put in lines like "hi" or "for you." Give a little hint to what the message is about.
  
• When you forward a message delete all unnecessary information such as all the other people’s email addresses, date lines etc. Don’t forward messages with three pages of mail-to information.
  
• Take it easy on the CC (carbon copy). Only send copies to people who need to see your message. Same thing when you reply, do you really need to “reply to all”? Most of the time probably not.
  
• DON'T TYPE IN ALL CAPS. IT APPEARS AS IF YOU ARE YELLING OR ANGRY. It also appears as if you are too lazy to type properly. 
  
• This is still a written medium. Follow standard writing guidelines as a professional courtesy.
  Use spell-check.
  
• Keep it brief. If you have so much to say to someone, maybe a phone call would be a better choice.
  
• Don’t forget about regular mail. It’s still nice to receive a birthday card by postal mail.

Voicemail Etiquette

How many times has someone left you a voicemail message and you had to replay the message several times to get all the information. Here are some tips on leaving a voicemail message.

• Speak slowly and clearly
  
• Repeat your name and telephone number twice. 
  
• Spell your name.
  
• Keep it brief.