Don’t Air Your – Or Your Client’s - Business Laundry In Public.
Whether for work or for play we always seem to be on the go. Many of us need to travel for business. Whether you are taking the metro across town, taking the Acela up or down the seaboard, or taking a plane across country, doing work while on the road has become the norm. It is important to be professional while doing this work.
You are not in your office. You are out in public. Exercising good manners by treating others the way you would like to be treated helps everyone get along and make things much more pleasant. And it is good for business. Here are some helpful tips.
Don’t invade the sound space of others. Help keep the peace by not having an annoying ringtone and keep the buzzing, chiming and ringing of your electronics to a minimum. Putting devices on vibrate is tremendously helpful. Quietly type instead of attacking the keyboard so everyone hears each key stroke and/or click of your nails. Remember, if you hear it, others do too.
If you can, move away from others while speaking into your mobile phone. If you are using your phone while seated and can’t realistically find a quiet corner somewhere, try to speak softly into your phone – no need to talk “yellular” (yelling into a cellphone). Cupping your hand over your mouth while speaking also helps reduce the distance your voice carries. Others usually do not want to hear your conversation. It distracts them from doing their own work. However, keep in mind someone may have great interest in your side of a conversation – especially if you are talking about sensitive business strategies and planning. Your boss, colleagues and clients expect you to be discrete and maintain confidences.
In the vast majority of cases, I believe people do not intend to be rude and bothersome - they are just unaware. So be mindful and aware of your surroundings. If you see other passengers giving you the stink-eye, you probably are being too loud. Easily remedy the situation by quickly turning down your volume.
Keeping these simple tips in mind can make for happy travels for all – how marvelous.
Have a marvelous week - Catherine
