AT&T Archives: Telephone Courtesy

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A film about telephone etiquette, especially in the office. AT&T seemingly made a version of this film every decade - it was always a subject worth returning to - and this is the 1940s version. It profiles some "obviously poor habits" of both workers and switchboard operators, and illustrates examples of good telephone manners, circa 1946.
It does so through the tale of "Mr. Burton", a typical businessman, who runs into difficulties when he tries to telephone his office. He realizes that phone manners, courtesy, and best practices are missing in his organization, and that they could be costing him money. He stages a demonstration for his "workers" and we get to watch.
Telephone etiquette never grows old, but it does change over time. Lately, the use of cell phones to make calls - but more specifically for texting - are higher-profile subjects of etiquette discussion, especially in public places such as schools or theaters.
A Wilding Production
Footage courtesy of AT&T Archives and History Center, Warren, NJ

[@elderjoy]

Several years of my Bell Telephone career was as a Customer Instructor. I traveled to businesses large and small to train telephone courtesy. This was a free service to the business customer. We often showed one of several films made by the Bell System. Lugged around a large movie projector. It was fun and great experience!

[@cat-lw6kq]

I worked in 7 different dept. outside in the field, inside central offices and cust prems. Also worked as a tester on 2 wire and 4 wire.

[@costernocht]

They should update this for the iPhone generation and show it in theaters.

[@AndyDaviesByTheSea]

It’s a bit longwinded to get the message over but boy believe me there’s a lot of folk out there that could do with a bit of telephone etiquette training, it’s not all progress in the digital age is it. Kind Regards ... Andy.

[@newstarcadefan]

Wow, at my former course in vocationals in high school...this was actually required for us to learn telephone techniques.

[@kateorman]

Someone had to think of putting the company's phone number on their business card and stationery! And tell people to do it!

[@cat-lw6kq]

When I was overseas I manned the switchboard, I can tell you no country in Asia has serive like we do in the US, Japan has the best overseas calls almost always went through, but I don't think it's quite as good as here.

[@eloquentlight]

Did he say cheese goes with apple pie at 12:21?

[@FurbyGender]

Yes and he also said "It might sound queer to tell you this" lol

[@sharid76]

Yes. A small hunk of cheddar cheese with Apple pie, sometimes even melted on top, is still a common pairing, but more common back then. Don't know why, or who started it, or anything like that, just that it exists.

[@sharid76]

Furby Gender - Word definitions and usages change over time, as you've seen here. Saying something might sound "queer" was the same as saying it was odd, or unusual. It all meant the same thing. Just like the word "gay" was a perfectly innocent word, used to mean happy or joyful, and neither one had a thing to do with being homosexual.

[@alyssachantaychampagne2773]

Yes and I plan on trying it honestly

[@relathan1]

Nowadays, it seems to be more of a New England thing. I have a friend from Boston who was amazed that so many people had never tried it down here in North Carolina. It needs to be a sharp New York cheddar for it to work well. The sharpness of the cheese is a good pairing with the sweetness of the pie. My, the things you learn here at the ATT&Tech channel haha!

[@melaniexoxo]

Been watching these old films to escape the Covid-19 nightmare. Back to reality....

[@cellytron]

"What do you mean you'll see if he's in? Don't you KNOW!??!?!?" RIP the operator's eardrum at 6:01 and 6:08

[@jessiejames7492]

I worked as an opr in the 80s. Went through endless courses. We had role play. Hilarious. Had fun. After some time that coutesy sticks to us. Becomes part and parcel of everyday intetactions

[@KawaiiCat2]

Lol this is so funny and good to learn from even in today's time.

[@roachtoasties]

I had a job many decades ago where I had to answer the phone. I remember someone calling me saying something like, "You a-h's have hung up on me five times! Five F-N times! Five damn times! Five F-N times!" After that tongue lashing I said "OK, I'm going to make it six!" (Click!)

[@haroldfarthington7492]

based

[@cellytron]

Fantastic! This wasn't me, but my mother: Someone kept calling her work, and was absolutely irate, wanting to know where her f-ing mail was! The other employees were freaked out, and couldn't get a word in edgewise with her. Finally my mother (who had an amazing, deep and loud voice) answered and said, "MA'AM. This is NOT THE POST OFFICE, this is (name of optician)'s office." The woman was silent for a few seconds, and then yelled "OH!" and hung up 😂

[@wakkowarner4288]

Mom taught me this. "Whatchamacallit's residence, what'shisface speaking". Then when I went to USAF I was taught pretty much the same, only adding "How may I help you?" at the end. And to this day, that's how I do it. Business / military have no room for "Whaddy'a want, mac?" The only change, thanks to caller id and cellphones is.. if I know the other party I just greet 'em by name. And if I don't know the other end, I just say "This is What'shisface.." and then the other party speaks.

[@lizzapaolia959]

WOW would be nice if the USA was like that now. Thank you for sharing 🙏

[@adrianmlridgewayarcmlramll1965]

Amazing!

[@TechHowden]

13:04 I totally agree with him And yet people still do that today

[@maxdutiel]

18:33 I think this is more annoying

[@floatpvnk]

“Doing a little supposing” 😂

[@ronniedelahoussayechauvin6717]

I never new these films existed. Mr. Burton? I know of a Burton Cestia. My Grandparents Attouney. Hmmm...

[@ricardorodrigues7304]

sensacional.

[@lilsheba1]

Ok well I yawn on the phone, gonna have to deal with it. One thing I do hate though, is people who insist in BANGING THE RECEIVER DOWN IN MY EAR!!!!!!!! Just stop that it hurts!! I worked in customer service for years and dealt with that nonsense.

[@melaniexoxo]

Yeah rude cs needs to have consequences. People are so rude lately

[@TechHowden]

18:37

[@ronniedelahoussayechauvin6717]

Mr. Green & Mr. Williams So Shady

[@ronniedelahoussayechauvin6717]

Marketing Fraud & Corruption

[@FurbyGender]

We don't have courtesy when people annoy us, why would we have phone courtesy? There's nothing more interesting than people who created this video believing that when people take the piss out ya, you're supposed to still remain friendly.

[@sharid76]

We Don't? Who doesn't? Maybe you Oughta give it a try sometime. You might be surprised at how well it can work to subdue and befuddled the other party - they frequently just what they were all upset about. If nothing else, you don't need to stoop to their level.

[@RobertAslinMusic]

I mean, it is the professional thing to do. Even if someone is being rude or inconsiderate, be the better person.

[@alyssachantaychampagne2773]

Did your mother teach you, anything?

[@jessiejames7492]

Nothing goes 100%. But we are not allowed to show annoyance. Easy to get complaints.