BUTLER-TIP OF THE MONTH

BY OUR DIRECTOR HUGO R. MECHELSE

Telephone etiquette

What is it nowadays with our common courtesy. I know, time is money but is this an excuse to step over the civility of normal greeting and saying good bye?

I would think not. In fact, e-mail is not much different from a letter, except you do not need the stamp and it arrives at the addressee the moment you push the button.

So, in fact all etiquette rules that apply for a ‘normal’ letter apply to e-mails as well. Balance the heading with the end; do you address the addressee in a formal way, also your greetings at the end of your letter should have the same level of courtesy.

In an e-mail, you also do not use abbreviations.

It is also common courtesy to answer an e-mail if it is addressed to you personally and it clearly is no mass-mail poured over you. There is nothing wrong in stating that you are not interested or that you can not be of service with a request or question. Not answering is like picking up the phone but not saying a word.

Let’s bring back courtesy in all walks of life.

 

PS: if you wish to contribute with a tip of the month, please send an e-mail to: hugo@internationalbutlers.com