ETIQUETTE AND MANNERS IN COMMUNICATION

1.

Be in control of your phone, don't let it control you! Taking a call signals that the person
you are with is less important than the person calling. If thats not the impression you want to
make, dont take the callthe caller can always leave you a voicemail.

2.

Speak softly. Keep you voice low whenever you're in the presence of others. You want to be
considerate and avoid disturbing those around you. For some reason, peoples phone voices
are always louder than the voice they use in normal conversation. Add to that the noise of a
busy sidewalk or the background noise of a public place, and the urge to shout can become
overwhelming for the person on the other end of the conversation as well. Rememberyoure
the one fighting to hear over the noise, not the person youre speaking with. So give everyone

a break, and remember to tone it down.

3. Be courteous to those you are with; turn off your phone if it will be interrupting a
conversation or activity. If you don't want your friends or relatives to think that your mobile
device matters more to you than they do, then don't make or take calls when you're in the
middle of a conversation. By doing so, you're making whoever you're with feel second best.
4. Watch your language, especially when others can overhear you. Oblivious to those
around them. Some cell phone users feel free to pepper their conversation with obscenities.
The people nearby may try not to listen, but it's hard to ignore.
5.

Avoid talking about personal problems in a public place. Talking about personal
problems in a public place can make those around you feel highly uncomfortable and can be
embarrassing for you. Make sure you save these conversations for home or another private
place.

6.

If it must be on and it could bother others, use the silent ring mode and move away to
talk. If you must be alerted to a call, put your device on silent ring or vibrate, and check your
caller ID or voice mail later. If you must take a call, wherever you are, move to a private space
and speak as quietly as you can. If youre with a group, simply excuse yourself for a few
minutes: Sorry, I need to take this call. Ill be right back. Then keep the call as brief as
possible.

7.

Dont make calls in a library, theater, church or from your table in a restaurant. Without
exception, turn your device off in a house of worship, restaurant, or theater; during a meeting

or presentation; or any time its use is likely to disturb others.

8. Dont text during class or a meeting at your job. It is important to ensure that you give
those in your presence your full attention. Texting during class or in meetings is distracting for
others, but it is distracting for you as well, and ultimately causes you to miss out on potentially
significant and crucial information.
9. Private info can be forwarded, so dont text it. Don't text anything confidential, private, or
potentially embarrassing. You never know when your message might get sent to the wrong
person or forwarded. Not to mention if someone finds your lost phone.
10. NEVER drive and phone at the same time. Recent studies have shown that people who
are talking, texting, or otherwise using a cellphone while driving are significantly slower to

react to a red light and are at least four times as likely to be involved in an accident. Many
states have outlawed cell phone use while driving. Hands-free phones may lessen the risk
somewhat, but the smartest choice is to pull into a parking area and stop before making a call.
Remember that effective communication is a two-way process. It includes both giving and
taking. No communication could be effective if it carries just one aspect.
Dont talk when listening is more important. Dont put people off by continuing talking about you and
your achievements.
Never assume that others see what you see and they know and realize what you know and realize,
unless it is proved.
Solutions mostly lie in asking and not in telling. Learn to ask and learn more than you tell.
Never repeat yourself unless asked by others. Every time something is repeated, it loses interest of
some more people.
Never interrupt a speaker even if you have already heard something unless he/she asks you.
Learn to listen and you will develop more friends than those who like to talk.
Avoid saying anything that will not be acceptable to others or will make other feel bad, as much as
possible.
Effective speaking skills and good humor do wonders. However, you must understand that decent
humor is different from dirty jokes.
In conversation, use positive statements and words. You do not have to fire everything that comes
to your mouth. Learn to ignore things. Learn to disagree without being disagreeable.
Never criticize, ridicule or blame people. If you must, find the right time and opportunity. Do not be
personal; criticize the behavior, not the person.
Start a conversation with the things you agree on before talking about the ones you do not.
Remember, everyone is hungry of praise and appreciation.
Be humble and modest if you want to be popular in the society. A successful man is he who makes
his listeners feel successful.
Never speak too fast or too loud. Pitch and tone of voice matters as much as the pace of your voice
does. Your language must be sweet and gentle.
Make calls at a convenient time. Look for others convenience, not yours. Be starting to talk about an
important matter, always ask if it it right time to discuss it. Keep the conversation as brief as possible.
All the manners you observe in a conversation also apply during a telephone call like starting
conversation with greetings and introduction, keeping the communication brief, being polite and
gentle, being clear and precise, and ending the conversation on a positive note and a wish.
While ordering food at a restaurant, make sure to double-check your order or instructions.
Remember that if you do not do so, you will also be responsible for any damages or confusion that
might occur due to mis-communication.
If you served wrongly by a service person, do not criticize him/her aloud. Remember that no one
intentionally likes to dissever. While telling the person as to what you ordered and what you got, keep
your voice low and do not be rude.