The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-02-16
Trouble for Prompt Service With
Patrons.
GIRLS ARE NOT TO BLAME
Necessity Of Training the Voice to Ia
sure Clear and Distinct Comnuni-
cations--Some Business Men
Regard Girls as SETS.

We frequently hear Of complaints
against the Astoria telephone system.
some men imagine that they are the
only persons in town that have a tele-
phone and they are entitled to first
consideration. They talk in a loud.
xruff voice, making 1t difficult to dis
tinguish correctly what they say.
Nearly every one has had an op-
portunity of observing the manner in
which the telephone should be used
properly, and yet how few have pro-
fted by their observations. For a
model, listen TO the girl who conducts
any telephone pay station. She speaks
scarcely above whisper, and though
you are standing but few feet away
you cannot follow her end Of the con-
yersation. Experience and instructions
have taught her that low tone, wen
directed, is sufficient to throw the voice
to any point, near or distant She not
emily does her work without offense to
those about her. but by her easy con-
troll of speech saves herself from
weariness and fatigue.
Then low, soft voice Is pretty sure
to have a polite sound. The loud.
strident voice is suggestive Of impa-
thence, If not of anger. Nothing is more
Irritating than to be answered sharply
or brusquely. When this happens
eaee to face. the manner of the offender
eften modifies the apparent asper-
ity of his tongue; but over the tele-
phone the offensive voice cannot be
softened or corrected by glance of
smile. Hence the very great care that
should be exercised by those who real
with the public by telephone. Indif-
ference or inattention TO calls or an
impatient reply may drive away a GUS
toner. In business. therefore, good
voice used intelligently. politely and
persuasively is a commercial asset.
u Is q DiCdouLC " OhoAhN0o "AtA
a house which performs every detail
IN elean-cut satisfactory manner; but
II leaves a sting to be answered
abruptly or discourteously over the
telephone. It is folly to lose ones
temper because one does not get i'm
mediate connection. This is rarely
ever the fault Of the telephone ope-
rators, who are nearly always cour-
teous and prompt.
when one is called to the telephone
ne should respond quickly, and the per-
son calling should not be left to hold
the wire too long-something decidedly
Irritating and often unnecessary.
Let us throughout the whole house
strive to excel in satisfactory tele-
phoning"
This practical business man has dis
covered that the effectiveness Of the
telephoning In his store greatly con-
Germs the success of the business. AS a
writer in the Electrical Review said re-
Gently, "The telephone which is rapid
Iy coming to be the most important
door to the business office is all too
frequently put into the hands of incom-
petent, impolite and ignorant persons.
The matter is one Of really great i'm
portance. AS it progresses and the use
of the telephone becomes more general,
more and more of the worlds business
is being done over it, and it is becom-
ing more important than the person
answering telephone calls should be
competent to give clear and intelli-
gent calls and give them politely"