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Mr Anderson, you have a call in the lobby....

I am not a complete and total freak about this, but am very happy making a general and pretty stringent statement....

It is ALWAYS better to stand up and go to a lobby, or the bar area, or the foyer when taking or placing a call. 

Now, I'll admit....I've taken a call while at lunch, in a discussion, etc. Almost invariably it is to pass along a tidbit of pertinent information and then promise a return call. When the act of removing myself to take the call is more disruptive than the VERY quick transaction, I'll do it.....quietly, and as an aside.....and always with thanks or a brief apology.

But....and not only is the action cliche, the complaint has become so.....If you are going to have a discussion, a conversation, a full transaction....GET UP and go to a logical location. 

It's interesting to think, but if I were to walk up to your table, take a seat and strike up an interrupting conversation with you while ignoring your guest ....I would be thought a bit of a jerk. Everyone might feel a bit uncomfortable. Why is taking a call any different?

I recall old movies, where a maître d' would approach a table and announce in a hushed voice "Mr. ____, you have a call in the lobby." The gentleman in question would make a mannerly gesture (a simple "Excuse me for a moment" would always do), and then go take the call. 

Now.... a blue-toothed, blue-suited call taker will talk until blue in the face.....often loudly (still not sure why we still do this with modern wireless devices, but we do)....without a single thought. Annoying, self-important, and just cliche. Stop this. Stop it now.

And if you witness this, I ask you....beg you....correct this behavior. Say something, correct them, be a part of the solution. 

Send them a link to this blog....or have them call me.....because I do not want to live in a world where being honest with one another about a blatantly obvious problem, is somehow more rude than mentioning it. 

Your call has invaded my personal space, my earshot, or my conversation with you at table.....this will be addressed. 


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