Do you allow others to jump the line on the phone?
Two examples:
You're talking with a friend at a social event
and another horns in on the conversation without asking.
You're talking on the phone and the other person abruptly ends your call saying "I've another call is coming in." (I term this action "the tyranny of the telephone.")
Who was first in line? You were. But you got bumped.
Here's a commonly observed example of rudeness during group talk:
You're having lunch and a pleasant chat with 3 friends, one of whom takes an incoming cell call and continues their separate conversation while remaining at the table. Three of you can't help but overhearing half of that conversation. At the very least, this is a distraction.
These behaviors are rude if others do them, and they're rude if you do.
Exceptions to the "rudeness rules" above: When a physician is on call. When someone expects an important call from the boss. When you're expecting a call about a family emergency. Or, for that matter, any other truly important call. Glancing at the incoming phone number will usually tell you who's calling.
Here's a tip that works for me: You can be courteous to others by letting them know in advance that you may be receiving an important call. Then you can step away to handle that call in private.
Finally, I'm aware that rudeness is a subjective term whose meaning varies in any population. For example, I've noticed that teens do not seem to consider my examples rude and expect their peers to be "always on" and available to electronic messages.
Until next week,
Loren
