Global Teams
International Call Etiquette: When and How to Call Abroad
Practical rules for calling across countries without interrupting dinners, sleep, or weekends.
· 4 min read
A well-timed call builds relationships; a badly-timed one wakes someone’s family. When you are dialling across timezones, a little etiquette goes a long way.
Check before you dial
Always confirm the recipient’s local time before calling. What feels like a normal mid-afternoon for you might be the middle of their night.
Aim for the comfortable hours
- Mid-morning and mid-afternoon are safest; avoid the first and last hour of the working day.
- Steer clear of lunch hours, which vary by culture.
- Never assume a weekend or public holiday is a workday for them.
Propose, don’t impose
Offer a couple of options in the other person’s local time and let them choose. A call planner makes finding those mutually civilised windows trivial.