- Speakerphone: Putting someone on speakerphone without asking their permission or notifying them at the onset of the call is inconsiderate. The person on the other end may have some expectation of privacy and may relay confidential information without knowing that others are listening. Plus, background noises are often magnified on speakerphone, which may interfere with the person's ability to hear what you're saying, or s/he may simply be hard of hearing and unable to hear you over speakerphone.
- Email: Email is an etiquette landmine, especially for things that were meant to be private. Never forward an email on to someone else before checking its contents. Make sure that there is no confidential, harmful or other language that the sender intended only for you. Use the "Reply All" function judiciously; I generally don't use it unless I know all the recipients on the email. The same rationale applies to the "BCC" feature, and probably even more so since it's a hidden field. You should make it a habit to check the top of your email to see how you are listed, and reply accordingly.
- Confidential Conversations: Don't repeat or allude to confidential information, even among mutual friends or if you suspect that the person you're speaking to already knows the secret. It's the foundation for gossip and hearsay.
Mar 2, 2012
#270: Sometimes You're Meant to Be Hidden (Friday, March 2)
Some people love the spotlight; others not so much. Whether or not you enjoy the spotlight, it is important to recognize that sometimes things are meant to be private. Consider the following common etiquette mistakes that many people make in situations that were meant to be private:
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