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Calling on etiquette

A space to share your feedback. Over to you.

That was an excellent article on workplace etiquette, (Executive Intelligence, Apr 12) particularly the rules of texting and face-to-face communication.

Something that needs to 
be highlighted is the topic of phone etiquette, especially here in the UAE. Whether it’s a call from within the office or outside, the caller will often ring and ask who they are speaking to, without following basic etiquette and introducing themselves first, and what they’re calling about. I’m sure all of us have received that annoying phone call sometime, when you pick up the receiver and hear “Hello, who is this?” Err...

Other official telephone etiquette tips that need to be drummed into some people include: learning to greet properly; not sounding too loud, aggressive or pushy; not eating or chewing gum while talking on the phone; not placing people on hold for ages (if you’re going to take time, just inform them that you’ll call back later); learning to take messages properly; and avoiding using slang words or language. Most importantly, listen properly and be focused over the phone. If you’re going to be busy or distracted, it’s better not to take the call.

Congratulations, ALIA khan, on your winning entry! We will be in touch with you shortly.

BLIND SPOT

The article See No Evil (Apr 12), ironically, opened my eyes to a lot of things. The absolutely heart warming piece on the 19-year-old blind student Abdullah Ballaith was all the proof people need to know that happiness is a right available to all — old, young, rich, poor and the challenged.

Now that I think about it, when 
was the last time we sat down and 
really appreciated what was around 
us — truly appreciated food on the table, the warmth of a bed, the smile of a loved one, the cheer of good friends? Today, we are so obsessed with meeting the unrealistic expectations set by this generation that we often forget there are people who don’t even have half the things we do, and yet, are a whole lot happier than we are. Life is the one chance we have to explore, experience, gain and share. Do it right.

-Tanya Aravind, Dubai

Clear up clutter

This is with reference to your wonderful tips in Cut the Clutter (Apr 5). It was an eye opener for all of us pack rats. The basic rule is K.I.S.S. — keep it simple stupid! One should not procrastinate in organising and decluttering one’s home.

Envision every room in your house. Keep in mind that visual clutter must also be taken care of. Once you have decluttered in every way, reward yourself for the pains you have taken.

Finally, I think our mental clutter 
of various worries should also be 
curtailed. Unnecessary worries and anxieties fill up our brain, taking up energy and reserves that should be used for other important tasks.

-Mithra Jaishankar, by email

SLEEP WELL, LIVE WELL

The article on the importance of a good night’s sleep (Wake Up Call, Apr 5) and its effect on our productivity did strike a bell. My father had, has and will always emphasise on a good eight hours’ sleep, in order to live a healthy and a productive life. Doctors, too, advise us to sleep early for a disease-free body and stress-free mind.

As someone who loves staying up late in the night, as well as enjoys sleeping during the day, I have personally witnessed the effect of improper sleep or lack of sleep the next day at work. I’m either fighting to suppress my yawns in front of my colleagues and boss at the workplace or experiencing digestive disorders. This has, at times, made me regret the fact that I turned a deaf ear to my father and doctor’s advice.

It is said that deep rest leads to 
dynamic activity. I’m sure that the “wake up call” for the UAE’s workaholics and insomniacs is indeed an alarm at the right hour for us to tuck ourselves into bed. Sleep and have healthier days ahead.

-Nithya Raghavan, Abu Dhabi

SALAD QUOTIENT

What an absolutely delicious looking cover and piece on the Caesar salad (Hail Caesar, Apr 12). It’s the perfect healthy recipe for the hot days ahead, one of the easiest to toss up, and yet lends itself to lots of variation.

-Usha Nair, Dubai