ChatterBank0 min ago
Which would you consider bad manners?
26 Answers
I work on reception in a hotel, often on my own, answering the phone is among my duties as well as checking guests in/out, If the phone rings while I'm checking someone in, would you as a guest consider it bad manners if I answered it? My boss thinks it should be answered and the person on the phone put on hold if I'm dealing with a guest...I think it's rude to break off from the guest I'm checking in...opinions please
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For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.I would certainly think it bad manners were i a guest being dealt with at the time the phone rings and you both answer and deal with the caller whilst i wait, though if you asked me to excuse you for a moment so that you could answer the call and then put the caller on hold whilst you finished with me then no i wouldn't see that as bad manners. If you left the phone ringing whilst dealing with me then that i would see as being bad manners both to myself and to the caller..not to mention to your boss..thats why they're the boss!
I also agree with you and before retirement had many an argument with my employer. I maintained the customer in front of me had spent time and money to be there and deserved my undivided attention.The person on the phone might not even want to buy anything and just need info, If it's important they will ring back. " a bird in the hand etc"
I can see both sides here. Unanswered calls can lose business!
If I were to phone a hotel & there was no reply, or message asking to me to hold, it would put me off bothering & I'd go elsewhere.
If I were on my own serving a customer at the desk & the phone rang - I would simply say to the customer "Do forgive me, but would you mind if I take this call?" I'm sure an understanding person wouldn't mind waitng for a second whilst you put the caller on hold, or to take their details & call them back asap.
If I were to phone a hotel & there was no reply, or message asking to me to hold, it would put me off bothering & I'd go elsewhere.
If I were on my own serving a customer at the desk & the phone rang - I would simply say to the customer "Do forgive me, but would you mind if I take this call?" I'm sure an understanding person wouldn't mind waitng for a second whilst you put the caller on hold, or to take their details & call them back asap.
[email protected] thing is to rest a blob of blu-tack under the phone reciever when on the reception desk and things seem to be getting too busy and you don't want to appear rude ..that way the caller gets the engaged tone and you and your guest can talk about how peaceful the lobby is and how polite all the staff are ..lol..as you are i'm sure.