Everyone wants to feel special and respected. When you are talking on the phone, give the other person your full attention.

Avoid doing something else while on the phone such as using the computer, doing the dishes, watching TV, playing a game, eating, or having a conversation with someone else.

Call Waiting is a great feature if you are expecting an important phone call. Call Waiting allows another call to come in. You can switch between the calls using the “flash” button. As a rule, give priority to the person you are already talking to.

Caller ID can let you know who is calling so you can tell whether or not the other call is urgent.

Numbers that are blocked are sometimes from telemarketers and do not need to interrupt your current conversation.

If you do need to take the other phone call, ask the person you are talking to if they would like to hold while you take the call or if they would like for you to call them back when you are finished. “Peaches, the nurse is calling, and I need to take the call. Would you like to hold or should I call you back?”

If the other person decides to hold, be as brief as possible with the new call as a courtesy to the person on hold.

At the end of the conversation, end the conversation with “Good-bye.”

Keep your time on the phone reasonable. Remember that others may be waiting to use the phone.

Two final points:

Don’t interrupt others who are on the phone unless there is an emergency.

Don’t listen in on other people’s conversations.