trb@floyd.UUCP (Andy Tannenbaum) (08/08/83)
Do you ever call someone at work and someone answers her phone and asks what the call is in reference to? This often happens to me, and I don't really care to explain it to the phone answerer. I feel like saying "If I wanted to explain it to you, I would have asked for you." I just figured out what to do in this situation. Say "I'm returning her call." I hope that this might help someone through a sticky moment. Andy Tannenbaum Bell Labs Whippany, NJ (201) 386-6491
halle1@houxz.UUCP (08/09/83)
In contrast to Andy, I usually tell the answerer why I am calling, even if I am not asked. Likewise, I prefer people, when they get my machine, to tell me why they called. This saves a lot of time in the long run because you can be prepared for the call when you return it, or the one you called can get the answer you need before returning the call. Everyone is more efficient. The problem with Andy's solution is that if the message is relayed as "returning your call" and there was no such call, you won't get a call back. Again, honesty is the best - and most efficient - policy.
jpj@mss.UUCP (08/10/83)
While we are on the subject of proper phone answering protocols allow me to toss in my favorite gripe re: same - I have a phone answering machine at home since I am never there. In the interest of avoiding mass boredom, I try to make my messages entertaining but alas this seems to generate either of two responses - 1) Hang-up (very depressing to listen to) and 2) Unknown time - it is *very* awkward to know how to respond to someone's plea to, "call me right back!" when you haven't any idea *when* they called! So please - as a general favor to all w/such devices - please say something (clever, if possible!) and include in that something the date/time that you called. Cheers... Jim Jenal (aka mss!jpj)
richl@tektronix.UUCP (Rick Lindsley) (08/15/83)
From: trb@floyd.UUCP (Andy Tannenbaum) Subject: what is this call in reference to? Do you ever call someone at work and someone answers her phone and asks what the call is in reference to? This often happens to me, and I don't really care to explain it to the phone answerer. I feel like saying "If I wanted to explain it to you, I would have asked for you." I just figured out what to do in this situation. Say "I'm returning her call." I hope that this might help someone through a sticky moment. Andy Tannenbaum Bell Labs Whippany, NJ (201) 386-6491 Thank you, Andy "Anna Roseanna Danna" Tannenbaum for that insight on everyday life. :-) Rick Lindsley
laura@utcsstat.UUCP (08/16/83)
gee, Jim, The first time I got your silly answering machine on the line, I laughed myself silly until your mchine timed out. I couldnt get a word in -- I was too busy laughing hysterically. Maybe this is the source of your mysterious hangups? laura creighton utzoo!utcsstat!laura
fair@ucbvax.UUCP (08/17/83)
The unfortunate part about Andy's advice is that the poor person on the
recieving end may be trying to get some work done!
The evil instrument promulgated by AT&T that sits so innocuously on my
desk rarely leaves me in peace. Thus do I tell the front desk to try and
screen my calls. Some are appropriate to answer right away, some can wait
for a call back, and some of them can wait until the devil is ice skating in
hell.
So why do I bother with news? Well, I'm doing that on my own time!
Erik E. Fair ucbvax!fair fair@ucb-arpa
{ucbvax,amd70,zehntel}!dual!fair
Dual Systems Corporation