Monday, August 27, 2007

Etiquette Question

Okay, what's the deal? I have a notorious "cube" for my office. Four walls and a flimsy door. I only close the door if I want semi-total privacy (you see, I don't have a ceiling). But what's the deal when I'm on the phone and someone comes into my office and sits there until I'm finished with my conversation? What happened to business manners?

Maybe I'm "old school" but I was taught that if you approach someones office and they are on the phone you:
  • Wait outside, if you had a scheduled appointment with them
  • You come back later or contact them some other way

As long as someone is on the phone, you certainly don't plop yourself down in their office while they are having a conversation. It's RUDE! The only time I'd enter someones office while they are on the phone is if I had caught their eye and they waved me in. Even then, I feel a bit awkward.

Is there a need for business etiquette classes? The only problem, those who truly need the class are probably too ignorant to know they need help!

Have you ever experienced something like this? How did you handle it with Klass? Let me know...

1 comment:

Devils Advocate said...

If I feel my issue is urgent, I'll plop my butt down in someones office - even if they are on the phone. If I overhear that they are talking about minor stuff, I will definately wait there until they are done talking. If I hear that they are talking about something more critical than my issue, I'll scribble a note and leave.

This is from that standpoint that I am in a 'support role' for the company and nothing is more critical than keeping the company operating.