Avoid eating while you are on the phone

Communication by telephone is a fundamental tool in our daily lives, both personally and professionally. However, despite its accessibility, it is crucial to be aware of etiquette practices in our interactions, and one of them is to avoid eating while talking on the phone.

In this session, we will take an in-depth look at the reasons behind the importance of avoiding eating during a phone call and how this action can affect both the sender and receiver of the message.

When a person has a habit of eating out of nervousness or anxiety during calls, keeping the hands occupied with a pen, or other harmless object can be an effective strategy to avoid the temptation to eat.

This technique is based on the idea of diverting attention and channeling anxiety into a more productive and less health-damaging activity. Anxiety and stress can trigger a "fight or flight" response in the body. This response can generate a feeling of uneasiness or discomfort, and some people turn to food as a way to calm those feelings.

Eating during a call can certainly become a distraction for both the caller and ourselves.

When we are preoccupied with food, our attention tends to be divided between the conversation and what we are eating, which can lead to less understanding of the message. As we are focused on chewing and swallowing food, we are likely to miss important details of the conversation. We may miss key words, tones of voice or nuances that are essential to grasp the full meaning of the message being conveyed to us.

In addition, eating while we talk can make our voice sound unclear or distorted. The sounds of the food in our mouth can overlap with our voice, making it difficult for the speaker to hear us clearly.

In terms of our own perception of the call, eating can make us feel less engaged or less focused on the conversation. If we are distracted by food, we are less likely to be fully present on the call and less likely to be actively engaged in the dialogue. This can affect our ability to show empathy toward the caller.

Eating during a phone call can have negative effects on both the sender and receiver of the message.

Here, we will look at some reasons why it is essential to avoid this practice:

• Clarity: Eating while talking on the phone can affect the clarity of the voice and make the message difficult for the interlocutor to understand. The act of chewing and swallowing food can distort the pronunciation of words and decrease the intelligibility of the message. This can lead to misunderstandings and difficulties in communication, especially if important or complex topics are discussed.

• Respect: Eating during a call may give the impression of disrespect toward the other person. The sound of food being chewed is likely to be perceived as unprofessional and impolite.

• Concentration: If one party is eating, their attention is likely to be divided between the act of eating and the conversation, which can affect the quality of the interaction.

• Problem solving: If the call involves problem solving or important decisions, eating while talking may affect our ability to make appropriate decisions.