01/06/10 Phone Etiquette
I feel the need to cover the subject of phone etiquette. I am by no means a saint when it comes to this. However, I have had some recent encounters with very good and very poor response time. I thought I’d share a little of my viewpoint along with some others.
I tend to classify communications in an order of urgency. Calling someone, at least to me, means you want instant gratification. The information needed to obtain or communicate is of the importance or length to talk to the person. Therefore, if someone recieves a missed call they should return that said call as soon as they are available.
A text on the other hand, again at least to me, is a more casual form of communication. This is meant as a subtle reminder that ‘if you’re not busy with something then shoot me an answer back’. There is a much larger grace period here than with a phone call. There could be a day go by without a response to a text, however, a day should be the maximum.
Phone etiquette is constantly being redefined. I for one prefer not to check my phone in when visiting with friends say at dinner. However, the August issue of Wired Magazine mentioned texting in the company of others is alright but only if you are trying to include someone who isn’t there.
It will be interesting to see the new generation of children mature with this technology. Unlike any previous generations, they have had constant connection via mobile devices and social medias. We’ll see how phone etiquette evolves and if these kids make it better or worse. The cell phone, social media, texting, etc. is already the cybernetic third arm of the next generation.
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