When you must attend to both a caller and a visitor, which action best aligns with courteous service?

When you must attend to both a caller and a visitor, which action best aligns with courteous service?

• A. End the call immediately to talk to the visitor.
• B. Put the visitor on hold and continue with the call.
• C. Excuse yourself to the caller and tell the visitor you will be with him as soon as you finish on the phone.
• D. Ignore the visitor.

Answer: (C)

When you must attend to both a caller and a visitor, courteous service means acknowledge both and communicate clearly about how you’ll proceed. Excusing yourself to the caller and telling the visitor you’ll be with him as soon as you finish on the phone shows respect for both parties. It keeps the caller from feeling dismissed, while also letting the visitor know you’re not ignoring him and that you’ll attend to him very shortly. This approach sets a brief, honest expectation and maintains a professional, helpful tone. Ending the call to talk to the visitor leaves the caller without support. Putting the visitor on hold without clear instruction can feel rude or unproductive. Ignoring the visitor is obviously inappropriate.

When you must attend to both a caller and a visitor, courteous service means acknowledge both and communicate clearly about how you’ll proceed. Excusing yourself to the caller and telling the visitor you’ll be with him as soon as you finish on the phone shows respect for both parties. It keeps the caller from feeling dismissed, while also letting the visitor know you’re not ignoring him and that you’ll attend to him very shortly. This approach sets a brief, honest expectation and maintains a professional, helpful tone.

Ending the call to talk to the visitor leaves the caller without support. Putting the visitor on hold without clear instruction can feel rude or unproductive. Ignoring the visitor is obviously inappropriate.