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Telephone Language
Here are some typical phrases that you can use in a telephone conversation.
Answering the phone
* Hello? (informal)
* Thank you for calling Boyz Autobody. Jody speaking. How can I help you?
* Doctor's office.
Introducing yourself
* Hey George. It's Lisa calling. (informal)
* Hello, this is Julie Madison calling.
* Hi, it's Gerry from the dentist's office here.
* This is she.*
* Speaking.*
*The person answering says this if the caller does not recognize their voice.
Asking to speak with someone
* Is Fred in? (informal)
* Is Jackson there, please? (informal)
* Can I talk to your sister? (informal)
* May I speak with Mr. Green, please?
* Would the doctor be in/available?
Connecting someone
* Just a sec. I'll get him. (informal)
* Hang on one second. (informal)
* Please hold and I'll put you through to his office.
* One moment please.
* All of our operators are busy at this time. Please hold for the next available person.
Making special requests
* Could you please repeat that?
* Would you mind spelling that for me?
* Could you speak up a little please?
* Can you speak a little slower please. My English isn't very strong.
* Can you call me back? I think we have a bad connection.
* Can you please hold for a minute? I have another call.
Taking a message for someone
* Sammy's not in. Who's this? (informal)
* I'm sorry, Lisa's not here at the moment. Can I ask who's calling?
* I'm afraid he's stepped out. Would you like to leave a message?
* He's on lunch right now.Who's calling please?
* He's busy right now. Can you call again later?
* I'll let him know you called.
* I'll make sure she gets the message.
Leaving a message with someone
* Yes, can you tell him his wife called, please.
* No, that's okay, I'll call back later.
* Yes, it's James from CompInc. here. When do you expect her back in the office?
* Thanks, could you ask him to call Brian when he gets in?
* Do you have a pen handy. I don't think he has my number.
* Thanks. My number is 222-3456, extension 12.
Confirming information
* Okay, I've got it all down.
* Let me repeat that just to make sure.
* Did you say 555 Charles St.?
* You said your name was John, right?
* I'll make sure he gets the message.
Listening to an answering machine
* Hello. You've reached 222-6789. Please leave a detailed message after the beep.Thank you.
* Hi, this is Elizabeth. I'm sorry I'm not available to take your call at this time. Leave me a message and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.
* Thank you for calling Dr. Mindin's office. Our hours are 9am-5pm, Monday-Friday. Please call back during these hours, or leave a message after the tone. If this is an emergency please call the hospital at 333-7896.
Leaving a message on an answering machine
* Hey Mikako. It's Yuka. Call me! (informal)
* Hello, this is Ricardo calling for Luke. Could you please return my call as soon as possible. My number is 334-5689. Thank you.
* Hello Maxwell. This is Marina from the doctor's office calling. I just wanted to let you know that you're due for a check-up this month. Please give us a ring/buzz whenever it's convenient.
Finishing a conversation
* Well, I guess I better get going. Talk to you soon.
* Thanks for calling. Bye for now.
* I have to let you go now.
* I have another call coming through. I better run.
* I'm afraid that's my other line.
* I'll talk to you again soon. Bye.
Practice 1: Making an Appointment
Receptionist: Thank you for phoning Maple Dental Clinic. Sylvia . How can I help you?
Thelma: Hi Sylvia. It's Thelma Woods calling. How are you today?
Receptionist: I'm fine Mrs. Woods. How are you?
Thelma: Well, actually, I have a bit of a sore tooth. I was hoping Dr. Morris would have some time to see me this week.
Receptionist: I'm afraid he's booked this week. I can put you in for 2pm next Tuesday. How does that sound?
Thelma: That would be great.
Receptionist: I'll have to give you the address of our new office.
Thelma: Oh, that's right, you moved.
Receptionist: Yes, we moved downtown. Do you have a pen handy?
Thelma: Could you hold on a moment please. ...Okay, go ahead Sylvia.
Receptionist: Okay, we are at 723 Baltic Avenue. Suite 004.
Thelma: Do you mind spelling that for me?
Receptionist: Sure. That's seven-twenty-three Baltic--B as in Bravo, A as in Alpha, L as in Lima, T as in tango, I as in India, and C as in Charlie. And it's suite zero zero four.
Thelma: Okay great. I'll see you on Tuesday then.
Receptionist: Okay. Thanks for calling. See you then.
Thelma: Thanks. Bye.
Practice 2: Taking a Message
Leslie:
Cameron: Hi, is this Leslie?
Leslie: Yes. Who's this?
Cameron: It's Cameron here. Is Maria i?
Leslie: No, she just stepped out for a moment. Can I take a message?
Cameron: Yes, thanks. ask her to meet me at the Capitol 4 movie theatre at 7 pm tonight?
Leslie: Sure. Just let me write that down. Oh Cameron. Could you for a second? I have to take another call.
Cameron: No problem.
Leslie: Hi. Sorry about that. Now could you please repeat that information? I didn't have a pen handy.
Cameron: Sure. It's the Capitol 4 theatre at 7 o'clock.
Leslie: Okay, I've got it. Is there anything else?
Cameron: No, that's all.
Leslie: Okay. Uh-oh, there's my other line again. I'd better run.
Cameron: Okay, thanks again. Bye for now.
Practice 3: Ordering a Pizza
Hostess: Pepi's Pizza. How can I help you?
Customer: Hi. I'd like to order a pizza please.
Hostess: Okay. I'll have to transfer your call to our take-out department. One moment please.
Recorded Message: Thank you for calling Pepi's Pizza. All of our operators are busy . Please hold for the next available person.
Take-out Clerk: Thank you for waiting. Naoko speaking. Is this for take-out or delivery?
Customer: Delivery please.
Take-out Clerk: Can I have your name and address please?
Customer: My name is...
Take-out Clerk: Sorry, it's really busy in here. Could you speak up a little please?
Customer: Oh, sure. This is Angie Smith. My address is number two Front Street.
Take-out Clerk: Is that an apartment or a house?
Customer: It's an apartment. Number seventeen.
Take-out Clerk: Okay. And what would you like to order today?
Customer: I'd like a large pepperoni pizza with mushrooms, olives and extra cheese.
Take-out Clerk: I'm sorry, my English isn't very strong. Could you slow down a little please?
Customer: No problem. That's a large pizza.
Take-out Clerk: Large pizza. Okay.
Customer: And I'd like it with pepperoni and mushrooms.
Take-out Clerk: Pepperoni and mushrooms. Is there anything else?
Customer: Yes, olives and extra cheese please.
Take-out Clerk: Okay. I've got it all down.
Customer: Great. And how long will that be?
Take-out Clerk: It will be about thirty minutes, Miss Smith.
Customer: And how much will it cost?
Take-out Clerk: Um--could you please hold on while I check with the kitchen?
Customer: Don't worry about it. I have to go. I have another call . Thank you. Bye for now.
Take-out Clerk: Okay. Thanks for calling. Bye.
Telephone Quiz
1 When you pick up the phone to call someone you hear a ( 1).
2 If I'm not home leave a message on my (2) machine.
3 Sally must be talking to her mom because I have been getting a (3) for two hours.
4 I never answer my (4) while I'm driving.
5 Mark always turns his (5) off when he is studying.
6 I'm busy right now. Can you (6) later.
7 You have to (7) "0" for the operator.
8 I have a (8) so I can do the dishes and chat at the same time.
9 You will need a quarter or a phone card if you want to use the (9).
10 I know it was my boyfriend who called because I have (10)
answer; 1 dial tone 2 answering 3 busy signal 4 cell phone 5 ringer 6 call back 7 dial 8 cordless 9 pay phone 10 call display
“FOR SALE: Mahogany table by a lady with Chippendale legs”
“Two Sisters Reunited After 18 Years in Checkout Counter”
“We found the address he gave me without difficulty”
“Abraham Lincoln wrote the Gettysburg address while traveling from Washington to Gettysburg on the back of an envelope”
Chewing Gum Etiquette
http://manners.quickanddirtytips.com/chewing-gum-etiquette.aspx
We've chatted about a wide range of manners topics. Many have been above board and stuffy. Some have just been uncomfortable. Today we’ll be discussing one topic that, until recently, was panned as being just plain rude in most situations. That would be chewing gum. But lately you can find folks chewing gum in staff meetings, during church, and at weddings. We're not going to talk so much about what the world has come to, instead we'll take a look at how to handle our gum in most situations-- and we'll do this right after a word from our very generous sponsor!
Old Time-y Gum Etiquette
It seems a little antiquated to think of chewing gum being frowned upon in an office setting, but for an amazing number of years it was considered absolutely unprofessional to chew gum while at the office or in a customer service type role like flight attendant or museum tour guide. I'm not sure where "museum tour guide" came from-- just go with it. There is a good solid foundation for this. You wouldn't chew your food in front of your client at a conference table or while talking someone through the Monet section of the museum, therefore you wouldn't chew gum while doing this either.
Recent days have seen the relaxation of work environments and many formal type events are becoming more casual. So I wanted to take a look at some of the things we should keep in mind when considering that double mint, double mint, double mint gum.
Gum Chewing Etiquette: Where?
I think we shouldn't go any further before we determine where gum chewing is appropriate. Though I, Modern Manners Guy find the idea of chewing gum during a staff meeting strange and awkward, you might have more relaxed staff meetings in which people chewing gum is commonplace. As with appropriate attire, follow managements' lead in determining the likelihood that you won't be sacked for chewing gum in the meeting.
Places to hold your gum include in a job interview, at choir practice, and during a business presentation-- even if you're not actually speaking but just part of the presenting team. And the same goes for being in front of people for any situation. Bridesmaids and groomsmen, sitting on stage at graduations, school presentations--think over these situations and try to use common sense. Also, you should spit out your gum if you’ll be in a situation in which you’ll be talking with many people. It's pretty awkward for everyone if you are greeting lots of folks and you are smacking away on your gum-- yes, it is almost impossible to chew gum while talking to people and not either smack or show it to someone.
When Gum Chewing is a Good Idea
Though chewing gum can often be a bad idea, it can actually be useful in a number of situations. I checked with Quick and Dirty Tip’s own Nutrition Diva on this subject, and she had some good advice. She said that chewing a little gum can abate hunger pains and keep your mind off wanting to eat. That just might help you stick to your diet. And of course chewing gum can also help when it comes to bad breath. I asked our own House Call Doctor about this, and he suggested that when in close quarters, minty gum will likely decrease bad breath and increase your stock with those on whom you may be breathing. And while you're at it, you'll be improving your dental hygiene.
And it should be noted that Nutrition Diva and the House Call Doctor belive that sugarless gum is always the way to go.
How to Deal With Loud Gum Chewers
If you’re going to be chewing gum, watch out for the smacking. You would think that those folks who smack their gum would actually hear it and realize the terrible sound they are making. But, alas, they do not. So the next time you are chewing gum, take a second and listen to how you chew. If you are smacking, adjust yourself and others will be grateful.
If you find yourself in close quarters with someone who is smacking away and you just can’t concentrate, do these two things in this order:
Step 1: Look objectively at the situation and determine if it’s absolutely imperative that this person stop smacking their gum before you smack them. In a completely public situation, it’s not everyone’s job to do what you like. If you can move, do so. If you are simply stuck, like on a train, calm yourself. Then if you still can’t handle it, proceed to Step 2.
Step 2: Understand that any action you take might fall on deaf ears. Then politely say, “You seem to be concentrating really hard so I apologize for interupting, but your gum is really loud.” If the culprit doesn't take your hint, add, “If you chew a little more quietly, I promise I won't have a nervous breakdown right here on the train.”
Don't just be a Grumpy Gus and drop that bomb on the person and then retreat. Even a slight-- be it genuine or not--interest in them or what they are reading might ease the weight of your words.
If the loud gum chewer is one of your coworkers, calmly approach them and affect your most matter of fact voice when you say, "Hey there. You probably don't realize it, but you are smacking your gum like a crazy person. I'm having a hard time concentrating. Would you mind being a little softer or waiting until later to chew?"
There is a chance that won't work so make sure you have a backup like big-time noise reducing headphones.
Chewing Gum Bubble Etiquette
Many gum chewers can’t resist the urge to blow bubbles. To the popper of gum, if you are outside or things are really informal, blow all the bubbles you want. Do not, however, do either of these in more formal public settings, especially at work, school, and church. Yes, I did say church. If you are a congregant in a church and can maintain a low key gum chewing session, the activity might help you concentrate. Don't be the trendsetter, though. Some settings are more relaxed than others so, again, use common sense to make your decision.
Politely Disposing of Your Used Gum
Now, when it comes time to dispose of your gum, don't drop it on the street, in the grass, in a water fountain, in a urinal, or stick it to the underside of something. And do not place your used gum on the bumper of someone else's car because when they return to their Manners Mobile and see the sticky mess, it will have even the most mannerly of people thinking unmannerly thoughts. Sorry. Back on track-- the best thing to do is to keep the wrapper and use that wrapper as a sanitary way to transfer the gum from your mouth to the trash. Sometimes gum doesn't come in a wrapper so try to find something similar like a tissue or piece of paper to use in this situation. And there are trash cans about every 20 feet so you don't have any excuses for not actually putting it in one.
These last two suggestions are usually best when done with discretion.
If you are going to use your fingers to discard your gum, —Here’s a quick and dirty tip: touch the tips of your fingers to your tongue to get them a little wet before grabbing the gum. That will keep the gum from sticking to your fingers during the transfer. And wash those hands when you're done.
Should you be without paper or are just totally grossed out by touching your used gum, spitting your gum out directly into the garbage is acceptable but only when done with the utmost discretion. This is not something to be done in front of others.
A final recap: Use common sense to know where to chew your gum, keep your noise level down so you're not distracting to someone else, and always dispose of your gum in a waste bin when you are finished with it. Following these simple rules will keep your manners in tip top shape should you choose to chew some gum.