Final answer:
The proper verbiage for placing a guest on hold includes asking for permission and thanking them for their patience, while also ensuring the hold time is brief. Follow-ups should be timely and cell phones should be silenced in formal settings.
Step-by-step explanation:
When placing a guest on hold, the proper verbiage maintains a professional and courteous tone. It's important to first ask for permission and then thank the guest for their patience. An example could be: "May I place you on hold for a moment while I retrieve that information for you? Thank you for your patience." It is crucial to keep the hold time brief, ideally no longer than a couple of minutes.
When following up on a matter, such as calling to check the status of an application, it is important to mark the calendar and ensure that the call is made as stated. This shows reliability and respect for the other party's time.
Moreover, within a professional or formal setting, such as an interview or a business meeting, it is considered polite to turn off or silence cell phones to avoid interruptions. The mentioned script from a play humorously underscores the importance of minimizing cell phone disturbances during such events.