Work Voice

I used to catch a lot of shit from my buddies who would call me during work hours and notice that I was not my boisterous self. I would have what became coined as the "work voice". This of course was when I worked in offices that had other people working in them, so I don't exhibit so much of a work voice nowadays. Nevertheless, it was always a funny adventure and often became a talking point either before the start of the actual conversation or at other random times.

I recently noticed that I am not the only person who uses this technique to retain privacy and respect in the workplace. I heard a woman on the radio the other day who was winning something, but she couldn't be loud and obnoxious about her victory because she was at work and either didn't want to be reprimanded for taking a person call during business hours, or she didn't want to disturb her coworkers - methinks the former. I've also noticed that my own mother uses a "work voice" when making personal calls to me while she's at work. Hers is a little more disturbing though because it is reminiscent of a phone sex operator (not that I know what that sounds like), and I don't care for my own mother using that tone with me. I've actually had to tell her to stop and call me back when she can speak at a normal volume because it can be so off-putting. I also noticed that my buddy Justin developed a work voice when he started working in an office. He would call from his office phone, but the conversation was usually about some online game we were playing against each other or fantasy football, so he didn't want his conversation to be overheard, risking punishment from his employer.

So to describe it (if you haven't heard it and haven't caught on by now), the work voice is basically your normal voice, but in a quieter, more subdued volume and tone. Also, the words are sharper, meaning that the syllables don't drag on, and the responses are shorter as in you will only get one or two word answers and won't be much for back-and-forth conversation. I would always take personal cell phone calls during work, without thinking twice about it. I more or less spoke in the work voice just because I took calls so often (I probably took a personal call every other day), and I didn't want to be disruptive to the work environment. Everyone else took personal calls and either did what I did, or excused themselves out the front door so they could converse in their normal voices.... I eventually started doing this as well - it was just easier.

As soon as I became self-employed my work voice pretty much died. Unless I'm in close proximity to a group who I don't need hearing my conversation, I am using my normal voice on the phone. I still take a personal call or two per week, so I am able to speak regularly and I don't have the funny exchange with the person on the other end about how I'm toning down my usual self. I miss the jokes, but the freedom to be me is worth it.