Phone Etiquette for Kids (and adults)

Are we one of the last homes to still have a home phone line?  I had friends over once and when my phone rang, one asked "whats that noise?"  Then she called me old school.  People keep saying that about me.  I don't get it...

So now that Ant is older and having more and more friends over and what not, he has been asking non stop for his own cell phone.  Years back we decided that once he went to middle school we would talk about it.  And depending on how responsible and well mannered he was, we might get him a phone come 6th grade.  Until then, we will have a home phone.  The same rules apply for Lex.

This way, when boys call I don't have to get such rude calls on my own phone.  Nothing bugs me more than rude phone calls.  Okay, a few things bother me more but proper phone manners are a must in this house.  And I'm always taken back by the way some of these kids are on the phone.

I once answered my phone with a "hello"  only to be asked "why are you answering the phone?" Excuse me? Another time when I asked who was calling I was told it didn't matter.  Yes. Seriously. I had to bite my tongue on that one.  But then I wondered if kids these days were just given phones without any direction on how to make a phone call or if parents just think the kids will figure it out themselves.

I have talked to the boys about this many times.  They make calls to their friends and our family too.  The other day, Anthony down next to me to call a friend of his and it went a little something like this.

Ant:  Hello Mrs. G, this is Anthony Munoz.
Mrs G:  Oh hi Anthony.
Ant:  How are you?
Mrs G:  I am good. Thank You!
Ant:  I was just wondering if Jake could come over.
Mrs G:  Well I'm at work right now but I will have him call you.
Ant: Okay, Thank You.  Bye!
Mrs G:  Bye Anthony.

I tried not to make it obvious that I was listening, but he caught me smiling.  I was just so proud of how well he carried on that conversation.  I could hear Mrs. G laugh when he asked how she was doing.  I don't think she was expecting that from him.  She should.  Its so simple.

5 easy steps to making a polite phone call

1.  Say hello.  Not hey.  That is for horses.  Hello works just fine.

2.  Next, let them know who is calling.

3.  Sometimes your friend will answer and sometimes their parents will.  Either way, ask how they are doing.

4.  Now, why are you calling? And be sure to ask nicely.

5.  Say thank you, have a nice day and or goodbye.  Don't just hang up!

I know that these manners won't always stay with them.  As they get closer to their friends, the lingo will change.  There are bound to be "heys" and that's fine by me, but for now and always when an adult answers, this is how I expect them to do it.  I am 32 years old and when I make phone calls, I still do it this exact way.  The best part is when I say "have a nice day"  and people say "Thank you, so much.  No one ever says that anymore!" Sometimes they hang up before I say it.  Rude!!