Phone Etiquette in 2023: Navigating the New Rules

The Washington Post recently published a guide on phone etiquette in 2023 titled The new phone call etiquette: Text first and never leave a voice mail. In this guide, technology reporter Heather Kelly shares insights gathered from an etiquette expert and individuals of various age groups regarding their personal phone pet peeves. These insights were then used to develop a set of guidelines that aim to help people navigate phone calls in 2023.

The guidelines presented by The Washington Post for personal communication, not professional, have sparked debate among readers. The article has already received over 5,000 comments. It is important to consider different perspectives when discussing phone call, text, and voice mail etiquette. We must acknowledge that certain aspects of phone etiquette are influenced by generational differences, age, relationship dynamics, and context.

The New Rules for Phone Etiquette

Some of the phone etiquette guidelines featured in The Post’s article are fairly straightforward. For instance, the recommendation to avoid using speakerphone in public is a common-sense rule. Other guidelines include the advice to keep talking during phone calls, as they still provide value, the suggestion to use video voice mails judiciously, and the acknowledgment that one does not need to answer the phone at all times.

However, a few guidelines may provoke controversy. One such guideline is the suggestion to avoid leaving a voice mail altogether. Additionally, the article encourages texting before making a call, especially for video calls. It also advises individuals to stay still during video calls to maintain visual clarity. Lastly, the article poses an interesting viewpoint by stating that emotions are better conveyed through voice calls while facts are best suited for texts.

My Personal Phone Etiquette Rules

As an individual, I have developed my own phone etiquette rules and habits. For instance, when leaving a voice mail for a business, I often provide my phone number twice unnecessarily. I developed this habit due to growing up in a time when caller ID wasn’t as common and robocalls were not a prevalent issue.

To avoid potential scams or unwanted calls, I tend to ignore calls coming from unknown numbers and rely on a quick internet search to identify recognizable businesses – although this approach occasionally causes me to miss important calls. Additionally, instead of listening to voice mails, I prefer to read their transcriptions when available.

One specific practice I avoid is sending voice notes to friends or family members; it is simply not my preferred mode of communication.

Now we would like to hear from our readers. What are your thoughts on the phone etiquette guidelines presented by The Washington Post? Do you have any personal phone etiquette rules that you follow? Feel free to mention your age if you believe it may be relevant!

Stock photo via Stencil.

Source: Let’s Discuss: The New Rules of Phone Etiquette in 2023