Have you ever thought of stealing something that belongs to somebody else? Consciously, you may not have. But, knowingly or unknowingly, we all must have stolen someone’s precious time which can never be retrieved.
Knowingly or unknowingly we may have stolen someone’s precious time in life! It was a phone call that made me conscious of such a thought. Since it was the day following Easter, I rang up a friend over the phone for a friendly conversation. We greeted each other, exchanged a few thoughts and ideas, and carried on the conversation without minding the fact that the person on the other end had a hectic schedule but listened to me without expressing displeasure. But when I ended the conversation and disconnected the call, I happened to notice the duration of my phone call, 37 minutes 17 seconds! Such a prolonged call! I felt a little ashamed and embarrassed. Maybe it was the first time I felt so uneasy after a phone call. After talking for so long, I just reflected on the content of the conversation and felt that there was nothing worthwhile. I felt guilty about stealing others’ precious time.
Such a thought haunted me for some time. I felt I should have considered a little more of the situation of the person.  Even though, I sent a post-call message saying: ‘Sorry for the stolen half an hour’. I thought that this was an area that I needed to be correct in life. Here are a few tips for etiquette while speaking over the phone:
- Answer the call within three rings.
- Immediately introduce yourself.
- Speak clearly.
- Only use speakerphone when necessary.
- Actively listen and take notes.
- Use appropriate language.
- Remain cheerful.
- Ask before putting someone on hold or transferring a call.
- Be honest if you are unsure of the answer.
- Be mindful of your volume.