How many times do you let it ring?

Oh! There's one thing that I also hate, cold callers! Usually, they would have 1-800 numbers so I just don't answer them, or cut it off.
That's the beauty of phone these days (not like the red phone on my image), we now have call display and voice mail. If it's an unfamiliar number, I let it go to voicemail. But, I do listen to it right away. It might be the hundreds of companies I am trying to get a job with. Thanks for the response.

Yes, they seem to ring when you are at the middle of something. And it is usually the landline where you have to get up and walk and see the call display. Unlike the mobile, where we can just grab it from our pockets.
And if I see in the display that it's a cold caller, well I'm always busy.

Yea that is what I do,I wait to see who it is so I know if I want to talk to that person or not.If I don't I press the ignore button that goes to my voice mail,which says "hello,hello,hello!,Oh yea leave me a message."*LOL*

Hi menolly22! I guess it's just habits right? Some of us who grew up without call display and voice mail tend to do whatever our habits were at answering the phone. If you got used to answering right away, you would always be like that. I am used to answering after the first 1 or 2 rings, so I will always be like this.
But, like you say that you have childcare at home, I guess the parents would like their calls answered right away. Part of your customer service, right?

Ya, it's pretty much habits I think. I guess I think I would get a little worried if my babysitter didn't pick up the phone. I would wonder what was wrong! lol

Hi rainbowfrogpops!
You do learn something new everyday. I never knew that receptionists have a policy on the number of rings. What happens if you have lots of calls, and you just can't get to the one or two calls after the fourth ring? Does it go to an automated response? Or do you still answer it? How would anyone know if you didn't answer before the 4th ring was up?

Well four was the number to aim for lol, but I frequently got a lot of calls at once, so when that happened the phone would just keep ringing. However if I was say sitting around and just let it ring, my boss would get on to me, I think anyways. I always did my best to answer promptly. Most companies have a policy as to how many rings are allowed before you pick up, it's mostly to help the receptionist. We were not allowed to leave the desk, except for brief restroom breaks, so we would eat up front when no one was there. I found out I have the ability to completely chew and swallow a bite of steak, sip on a drink, and answer the phone perfectly within four rings.

That's great multi-tasking!

You right SomeCowgirl! I have had experiences where you hear something they don't want you to hear, if you answered your phone right away. But usually these are the cold callers. Sometimes, there is a distinct click before they start talking. When I hear the click, then I realize it's a salesperson. Then I hang up right away, so I don't have to hear what they say.
But now, back to the singing... It would be nice if you called and I answered, but I don't talk so I could let you finish whatever it is your singing.

So interesting, it clicks before the sales person talks? now I've heard clicking before it just does ringing and that's usually a fax... Aw, well I hope I wouldn't burst your ear drums.

The wonders of call display eh! Hi cher913.
Those are the worst kind of calls, the people who want money. They want you to pledge an amount to some charity. I don't mind helping, but not at these current times where I am also hard up. A few years ago, I used to pledge to a number of charities. Every year, they keep calling. I have to say no (or don't answer . Maybe next time, when money is not tight, I might start answering those calls again.

That's the great thing about just having mobiles. You are not restricted to chord length or signal range. You can have the phones in your pocket so you can answer them right away, or read the display first after a few rings.
Geez! you have 3 mobiles! I have 2 and I always thought that I am too busy with these. You must be very busy to have three.

I get what you're saying that ethically the phone should be answered within 3 rings, but with the advent of technology, that is call display, sometimes you just don't want to answer it. Specially if you know it is a cold call. In that case, you let voice mail take care of it.
Thanks for the response.

I guess if you work for a service company, it is advisable to answer the phone right away. The next ring might be a customer wanting to offer the company more business. You don't want to be in the way of that, as that would mean more revenue for the company. Specially if you love the company you work for, and you show a form of loyalty.

not a good response

Thanks for responding anyway.