Office Or Home: Where To Start?

Calling home first or sending to the office depends on the situation. If you are calling to inform someone about a promotion, it is better to call them first. However, if you are calling to inform someone about a death, it is better to send them to the office.

Don't call before 9 a.m. or after 9 p.m

Calling someone outside of the hours of 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. is generally considered rude and a breach of etiquette. This is especially true if the call is not an emergency or urgent. If you do not know the person well, it is best to avoid calling outside these hours unless it is unavoidable.

If you are an employer, it is generally advised not to call your employees outside of their working hours unless it is an emergency. This is an intrusion on their personal time and can be disruptive to their lives outside of work. If you need to contact an employee outside of work hours, it is often better to send a text or email first to see if they are available and then proceed with a phone call if necessary.

It is important to be mindful of the recipient's schedule and time zone when making phone calls to avoid causing inconvenience or disruption. If you are unsure about the appropriate time to call, it is best to err on the side of caution and stick to the standard hours of 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

If you're going to call, make sure you're ready to talk

In the modern day, it's still important to be ready to talk when you call someone. It's also important to be aware of the time of day when you call. Calling before 9 a.m. or after 9 p.m. is generally considered rude, unless the recipient has instructed you to call at that time.

It's also worth noting that, while phone calls can be more personal and allow you to adjust your strategy as the conversation progresses, they can also be invasive. Emails, on the other hand, are less intrusive and allow the recipient to respond when it's convenient for them. They're also easier to scale, distribute, and track.

So, if you're going to call, make sure you're ready to talk, and that it's a good time to call.

Don't invite someone to a party over the phone

At the turn of the 20th century, it was considered rude to invite someone to a party over the phone. Etiquette experts insisted that real mail should be used, as the new technology wasn't becoming of something as important as a party. The permanence of paper post also gave recipients a record and reminder of where and when the get-together would be held.

If you're throwing a party, you can use a variety of methods to invite your guests. Here are some of the most popular options:

• Texting or emailing: This is a quick and easy way to invite people, but it can be difficult to manage your guest list and send out updates.
• Instagram Close Friends Story: This is a fun way to invite people, but it can be time-consuming to tailor your close friends list and ensure that everyone sees the invitation.
• Red Stamp: This is a social commerce company that offers an invitation system. You can send invitations via email, text, or social media, and hosts can easily manage RSVPs. However, reviewers have complained that it's difficult to personalise invites.
• Hobnob: This is a new app created specifically for party invitations. You can easily manage your guest list and send updates to everyone at once.
• Partiful: This is another new platform for party invitations. You can see the guest list, include all the details, and send the invitation via email, text, or social media.
• Evite: This is a classic option for online invitations. You can include all the details, add polls and gift recommendations, and send the invitation via email, text, or social media. However, the design of the site is a bit outdated.
• GCal: Sending an invitation directly to your guests' calendars is a great way to ensure they don't forget about the event. You can include all the details, add a cute picture, and see everyone on the guest list. However, you'll need to ask for everyone's email address, and they'll need to have a Google account.

If you do end up inviting someone over the phone, remember to be polite and respectful. It's important to apologise when you uninvite someone and explain the reason why. Be honest and direct, but also consider their feelings. You could say something like, "I know I had initially invited you, but I'm now cutting back on the number of people. I'm sorry about the cancellation! I would love to have you over another time."

If you're going to call, make sure you know what you're going to say

It's important to be prepared when you make a call. In the early 20th century, people would place calls and then leave their phones to go about their other business, often making a family member or servant tell the person on the other line to wait for the lengthy process of completing the call. This is considered rude, so make sure you have time to call and know what you're going to say.

It's also important to be mindful of the time of day when you call. Unless instructed to by the call's recipient, don't call before 9 a.m. or after 9 p.m.

If you're going to call, make sure you're in a quiet environment

If you're going to make a call, make sure you're in a quiet environment. You don't want to be shouting over background noise, or have to ask the other person to repeat themselves because you can't hear them. If you're in a busy office, consider booking a meeting room, or going for a walk to get some peace and quiet. If you're working from home, make sure your pets and children are occupied, and that you're in a room with a closed door.

It's also worth noting that, while phone calls can be more personal and allow you to adjust your strategy as the conversation progresses, they can also be invasive. Emails, on the other hand, are easier to scale, and can be automated, tracked, and forwarded. They're also less likely to be misinterpreted, as tone of voice can be lost over the phone.

Frequently asked questions