New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-05-28
CAPTIVITY.

than Of the company. and we hope IT will be SO
taken"
Undoubtedly the most extraordinary thing
about the new form Of social intercourse is that
hello" is notrecognized The word does not ap-
pear in the whole work. Neither does the ex-
II esston only less venerated than the other
Hold the wre' receive the stamp OF approval.
The correct expressions are the book says:
Whom do you want?' and wait a minute"
However. at least one old rule has not been for
gotten, for the book says: The local operator
may have no conversation with the calling sub
scrIber beyond the phrase Number? That line
IS busy, That line is out of order and They
don't answer The subscriber If there is any
thing further to say. has the right to expect that
the operator VIII say, in a courteous fashion.
that she will give the subscriber '23.' The oper-
ator has the right to expect that the subscriber
will understand this rule and viii take the refer
ence 10 % cheerfully."
Telephone Etiquette" does not merely give
formulae for conversation between operators and
subscribers in the various situations they may
find themselves, but gives a few pages on con
yersat!on between subscribers" This is purely
for the benefit Of the subscriber. as the company
knows nothing Of what is going on over the
line. Subscribers should always begin their
conversations by asking rs this so-and-sO?"
says the book. In order TO avoid mistakes. 1T
is embarrassing for both parties" 1t says "to
order steak from q druggist or ask an under
taAer TO call at your house when you think you
talking to q caterer"
Never begin your conversation" ii continues
"by asking What is this? Nothing can be
ruder than such an inquiry the beginning of
a telephone talk, and nothing should be more
regularly snubbed." Again To express Il
generally the party who originates the call
should do the waiting and surrender his con-
Venience rather than compel the party who IS
called to wait and suffer he Inconvenience
The. company knows nothing of what goes on
over its lines" but Etiquette says: Sub
scr!bers will remember that they and not the
company are responsible for what we may term
the policing OF their own stations. In this we
refer particularly to the unnecessary and per-
sonal use which is made OF house telephones by
the servants Of the household. Many a call
fails to reach a desired party because his or
her wire is busy with the conversation of SER
wants. This is simply intended as q warning"
The principal fault TO be found with this
modern guide to polite living is that it is too
short and leaves to the subscribers own faulty
Judgment what Is TO be done in certain con
tingencies which the telephone constantly de-
velops. It is extremely distressing TO find when
Centrars familiar voice suddenly breaks in upon
a conversation with They don't answer" and
snap goes the connection, that Etiquette is
as mute S the form which the subscribers
remarks should take the disconnected tele-
phone itself. Neither does II tell how when
central has welded one to the wrong connec-
ton one Sc to get her again to have things set
Alright. No method of telling from the ring
when 1.-THE wires are be.sg tested" Is formulated,