How to master phone etiquette

Joe McKendry

In restaurants
Never enter, remain in, or leave a restaurant while on the phone. Here's why: 1. You need to be greeting the greeter like a long-lost friend, not arranging a match-day hook-up with mates. 2. It's presumably a mealtime, which should be reserved for meals, not carrying on an out-of-office meeting - which is why you're having a meal in the first place. 3. Nothing's so important that you can't call back later. Never leave your phone lying on the table. It's not a condiment and you shouldn't be taking shots of your food. Unless you're a food blogger, in which case you'll most likely be dining alone. Forever.

On the train
Talking business in a crowded carriage doesn't make you look like the big man, it makes you look needy and only illustrates that what you have to say isn't privileged or particularly important. If you get a call you have to take then walk to the nearest vestibule and answer it there, whether you're in the quiet carriage or not.

In meetings
Only the boss can make or take a call during a meeting. Everyone else is there to talk, listen or take notes. On no occasion is it OK to send or read a text, e-mail or instant message while a meeting is in progress. Unless it's that all-important call back from a headhunter. In which case, it's arrived just in time...

In bed
Occasionally, a call will come in that you'll feel you have to take. At which point, you'll make a judgement call on whether you need to worry about the reaction of the person lying next to you. And that's your call, bro...



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