When you take the time to send and receive text messages, your attention is focused on your cell phone.  If you are having dinner with Great Aunt Millie, she will notice you looking in your lap every few minutes.  She will know that she does not have your full attention.

While you are having dinner or a visit with someone, put away the phone.  The message you are sending when you take the time to text is that the conversation with whoever is on the other end is more important than spending time with you.

The same message applies when you decide to take a cell phone call in the middle of dinner or a visit.

All of the phone etiquette rules apply when talking on the cell phone, but because cell phones are so portable, you also need to be aware of where you are having your phone conversation.

People tend to speak more loudly when they are talking on the phone.  I noticed this myself when I was in the grocery store and had a question about the type of plates to buy.  I called home to ask and noticed how loud I was.

In theaters or places where there is a speaker, they generally ask that cell phones be turned off.  If you are at a play, movie, wedding, funeral, church, restaurant, or any type of presentation, turn off your phone or set it on vibrate.  If it is a call you absolutely must take, go to the lobby or another remote location so as not to disturb those around you.

Outside, away from others is the best location to take or make a cell phone call.  Aside from being considerate of others, you are also protecting your own privacy by keeping your phone calls private.

As part of this system, you can include:

• A form to take a message that includes:
  • The person’s first and last name
  • The day and time
  • Who they wanted to speak to
  • Their phone number
  • A specific message
  • The best time to call back if they want their call returned
• A place the forms can be kept along with pencils or pens
• An agreed upon place to leave phone messages

Because it is so anonymous and phone numbers can be blocked, there are many scams that are done using the phone. They may tell you that they are from your credit card company or from your bank. How do you know for sure? Your bank and credit card company already have your information and do not need you to verify it over the phone. If someone has called you, never give out the following information.

• Credit card or debit card number
• Bank account number
• Social security number
• Any PINs (Personal Identification Number) you may have
• Your address
• Information on who is or is not at home
• Information on when you will or will not be at home

If you are concerned that there may be a legitimate problem with a credit card, for example, hang up and call the customer service number on the back of your credit card. That way you know you are really talking with the credit card company.

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.

Unless you know someone is waiting for your call or you know it is okay to call, make your calls between 9 A.M. and 9 P.M.

Your attitude can be detected in your voice, so check that you have a good attitude before you make your phone call.

When you make your call, allow it to ring several times – up to 7 – before you hang up.

When someone answers, identify yourself and make polite conversation with the person who answered the phone. “Hello. This is Sue Brown. How are you today, Mrs. White?”  After Mrs. White answers, you ask, ”May I please speak to Mary?”

If you get an answering machine or voice mail, leave

• Your name
• The name of the person you are trying to reach
• Your phone number
• Any specific message
• A good time for them to call you back

If you misdial and get a wrong number, apologize to the person who answers the phone for the inconvenience.