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Life in the USA is a complete guide to American life for immigrants and Americans. All materials on this siteCopyright © Elliot Essman 2007. All rights reserved. Home Back Next
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Life in the USA Public Services I The Telephone
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Telephone Answering Machines
Telephone answering machines are widely used throughout the United States. When you call someone who is not home (or who is home but doesn't want to receive calls) you might get a recorded message from them. After a beep or tone, you can leave your own message. Some machines cut you off after thirty seconds or so, while some let you talk as long as you like. Machines can sometimes be programmed to give a message to callers but not to take one. These are commonly used in movie theaters for people calling in to hear the times a film will be shown. You can screen calls using an answering machine. If someone you want to speak with starts to leave a message, you can pick up the machine and talk to them for real. The technique for doing this will vary according to the machine.
Effective Outgoing Messages. If you have a telephone answering machine, leave a
clear, quick outgoing message. Avoid the temptation to have music in the background since it
usually doesn't reproduce well over the tiny microphone of a telephone answering machine. If
you have the kind of answering machine that won't cut the caller off after thirty seconds, tell
them they can talk as long as they like (but shouldn't). That way they won't leave you rushed
messages you won't be able to understand.
Next Section: Telephone Etiquette Public Services I: Chapter Home
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