I’ve practiced both but it’s come up in thought again within the last week. What has been your experience with this?
2007-01-03 07:36:55 · 19 answers · asked by elistia27 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
I always ask if they are busy, and appreciate it when people do the same for me, it is considerate and respectful, something we need to do more of with other people.
2007-01-03 07:39:14 · answer #1 · answered by XOXOXOXO 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it depends on a number of factors. If it's a business call, you can assume that they should make time to talk to you. If there's a problem, it's their job to explain that to you (for example, if something will take a long time, they might ask if they can call you back.) If it's personal, you should consider what time you're calling (is it dinner time?) and how long you expect to be on the phone -- if you're calling to chat, you might say, "Is this a good time?" but if you're simply saying "I'll pick you up at 9," it isn't necessary to check first to see if this is a good time to call. If it's a friend or family, they should feel comfortable telling you if now isn't a good time. They should also feel free to make up some polite excuse if they don't want to tell you the real reason why they can't talk -- it's not polite to say "I'm waiting for some more important friend to call me," but they can say that they were just about to sit down to dinner or on their way out or expecting the doctor to call back.
2007-01-03 10:29:59 · answer #2 · answered by Corinnique 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some people will tell you directly that they are busy as soon as they answer your call and can't talk with you at that time. But it's always a good thing to ask someone, for instance, if it's your father you're calling during his office hours, you should ask him if he can talk to you because he might be in a meeting and just forgot to switch his phone off. Not only you father, but even your friends who may happen to be engaging in a serious conversation and you happen to call at that time. It can also be right to assume that by answering your call, you do stand a chance to talk to that person at that time if the person you called keeps talking and doesn't call for an excuse.
2007-01-03 08:12:04 · answer #3 · answered by diane s 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the circumstances. If the call is purely social and I want to spend some time talking with them, I will usually ask the person if this is a good time to talk to them. If I know I'm going to be brief, I just say what I have to say.
If the call is business-related, then I count on the other party either asking if they can put me on hold or call me back if they need to.
If someone calls me and the call is purely social, and I know they want to spend some time talking, if that's awkward I tell them I have to keep the call short. Otherwise, we just talk.
If I'm at work and the call is business-related, if it's going to take some time and I don't have time just them, I ask the person if I can call them back. (I hate putting people on hold for more than just a few moments, I'd rather call them back.)
I think that pretty much covers it.
2007-01-03 08:15:48 · answer #4 · answered by Karin C 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I will answer the phone whether I have time or not so I can rule out if it is an emergency. I do always appreciate when a caller asks if I have time to chat, though.
2007-01-03 07:42:07 · answer #5 · answered by bandit 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't harm to ask first. If they answered the phone it could be they're expecting an important phone call which they would go to even if they didn't have time. Some people feel uncomfortable saying they don't have time to speak, but if you ask them they'll tell you the truth.
2007-01-07 06:22:52 · answer #6 · answered by ghds 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
With me just by answering the phone means I have the time to chat. Normally, if I don't have the time to chat I don't answer the phone. With me as a caller I assume if you answer the phone you are available to talk.
2007-01-03 07:48:54 · answer #7 · answered by deedee 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I answer my phone whether I have time to talk or not because I never know who it is or what they might be calling about - I have two young children and several ill or elderly relatives, so I want to be sure that everything is ok. I personally always ask, even family, if they have time to talk if I am calling just to say hi and check in.
2007-01-03 07:48:39 · answer #8 · answered by lover_of_paints_&_quarter_horses 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just ask. Especially if you have a long-winded conversation lined up. Sometimes people just answer the phone out of habit, or they think you needed something else.
I always ask if what I need to discuss isn't a priority or if I know I need to chat for a long time.
2007-01-03 07:53:25 · answer #9 · answered by Me 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask if they have time to speak. When they answer the phone they might be expecting another call, or they might have time for a very brief important conversation, but not a longer chat.
2007-01-03 07:41:33 · answer #10 · answered by drshorty 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well,what I do and this works for me, example," Hey, you busy." This way the caller can either say, No, whats up or hey I am in the middle of dinner can I call you back. This way no one is put in an awkward situation
2007-01-03 22:32:58 · answer #11 · answered by tnbadbunny 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋