1920’s Telephone Etiquette

Telephone manners are important, for voice-to-voice courtesy is as important as face-to-face politeness. Impatient “jiggling” of the hook to signal the operator does not flash the small lamp on the switchboard. The right and effective way is to move the hook up and down slowly.

Telephone Etiquette No. 5:

If you talk directly into the mouthpiece with lips a half-inch away, you will enable the one to whom you are speaking to get your message without straining to hear you. –Peru News, 1928

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia