Tuesday, January 28, 2025

Mid 20th C. Telephone Manners

"Mrs. Smith's residence" is the correct term for a servant to use but not for any member of the family, including a child. Members of the family say, "Hello."
Dear Miss Vanderbilt: Your reply that it is not proper for a child to answer a telephone by saying, "Smith's residence," astounded me. I was raised in a military family. Military etiquette demands that when the head of a household answer a telephone he identify himself by giving his name and rank. If it is necessary for some other member of the family to answer, he must use the phrase, "Colonel Smith's quarters, John speaking." Only a servant answers, "Colonel Smith's quarters."

I would assume that the correct form for a civilian child to use would be, "Mr. Smith's residence, John speaking." But in this age of direct distance dialing, some positive form of identification is required. I feel that "Smith's residence" is infinitely better than "hello." May I have your opinion on this matter?. If "Smith's residence" is not the correct form, what is? —F.L.P., Columbus, Ga.


THE TERM, "Smith's residence," is never correct. "Mrs. Smith's residence" is the correct term for a servant to use but not for any member of the family, including a child. Members of the family say, "Hello."

It is true that in the service it is customary to answer the phone, "Colonel Brown's quarters, Bobby speaking," if it is a child answering, or, "Mrs. Brown speaking" if it is an adult, or (more in past days than today), "Colonel Brown's quarters, the maid speaking." It is true that service families tend to continue this practice in civilian life and for them I see no objection to it.

Some few people follow the custom of saying merely, "Yes?" (which I find disconcerting) or, "Mrs. Smith" which is in my opinion too revealing). The safe "Hello" is the best course for everyone. We should not reveal our names or telephone numbers to strangers calling who do not identify themselves first.– By Amy Vanderbilt, United Feature Syndicate, 1967


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

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