You are cordially invited to read my following commentary regarding modern-day electronic communication and its effect on etiquette of days gone by …
I thought it was just me: annoyed at those who are supposedly tuned in to a conversation with their “Uh, huhs” and “Oh, yeahs” while repeatedly checking their cell for text messages using peripheral vision … and sometimes even going so far as to text a response.
Rude. Rude. Rude.
Turns out, electronic communication etiquette tips can be found in the Business section of The Emily Post Institute, a Post family-run online, book, and seminar source for modern-day societal dos and do nots. Matriarch Emily Post – yes, the one from whom Great-great Grandma and Grandma learned to be proper ladies – was the authority on all manner of society, so why wouldn’t “she” have something to say about the social graces of communicating electronically in this day and age?
In her section of the site, Emily’s great-great-granddaughter Lizzie Post offers helpful reminders related to personal or business relationships. A bit of the profound from the 20-something who “gets it”:
“… communication, compromise, and commitment are the key ingredients in making [these] relationships work, and [that] etiquette is truly about building relationships and improving your life, not about which fork you use.”
Ahhh … as refreshing as a mint julep on a hot summer day (which, when partaking of, you should always sip not chug). Here are a couple of “Tips from Lizzie” that are sure to help you build business relationships and, thereby, improve your life:
You shouldn’t use text messaging when informing someone of sad news, business matters, or urgent meetings, unless it’s to set up a phone call on the subject.
Remember: You are in control of your cell phone. Taking a call signals that the person you are with is less important than the person calling. If that’s not the impression you want to make, don’t take the call – the caller can always leave you a voice mail.
Répondez s’il vous plait (R.S.V.P.) to this blog post. I’m sure “Emily” would say that not responding is considered rude, too. Letters via “post” are welcome, as well.
Great commentary, and very needed in our modern world.
Hey Amy, I totally agree with your post. I think that
(Music begins to play from small tin-sounding speakers on cell phone.)
Excuse me.
(reads caller ID)
I’ll take that later. Like I was saying Amy, I totally agree.
(Phone “rings” again.)
Excuse me. This one I have to take.
“Hello? Oh, Hi! How ya doin’?! Hey, can I call you back? I’m in the middle of something right now. What? Really? Wow. Ok, well, like I said, can I call you back? …. Ok….. Ok…. great…. Thanks…. Talk to you later….”
Now, where were we? Oh yes Netiquette.
What about just turning OFF your phone while you’re not using it? I think sometimes folks forget to turn it off (I’ve done this myself a few times) and then when it does ring, they make a big deal of saying sorry, causing even more distraction in the room. Or sometimes folks forget that their phone is on, then the alarm or a ringer goes off while they are away from their phone. I often wondered what would happen if I answered it for them? Maybe I’ll try that next time.
Anyway, thanks for the post Amy. You’ll get us all sitting properly eventually!