I do it twice a day. My brother comes from school around 3ish so he is always home alone since my parents are working so I always call him to make sure he is safe and that he got home okay. Second, I always call my boy just to say "Hi"

I have my own office, so it's not really an issue. If I worked around other people, I would probably not make a call in front on them.

I make personal calls all the time! And sometimes, with my girlfriends, they talk SO much and I finalyl have to tell them I am at work!!! Haha, but my work isn't very stingy with that sooooo i do it

I work in an open-plan office, and I'm not comfortable making personal calls even though my co-workers do it all the time. My boss is very laid-back about it, but I just don't want anyone knowing about my personal business. If I absolutely have to make a call during office hours, I go outside with my mobile phone.

I have an office so like javsmav, this isn't REALLY an issue for me. even though I know people around here eavesdrop, so if it's something very sensitive, I will go to my car or something.

I have an office so its not an issue but when I had a cubicle it would always maek em feel weird that everyone else was potentially listening to my conversations- even if they werent.

I have an office, but the walls are very thin and I would have to close my door, so I don't bother. I don't think it's professional to make personal calls unless it's absolutely necessary.

i think that it depends on what kind of personal business you're taking care of. i do make a couple calls from time to time from my desk - but only if it's nothing too serious or whatever. i think that if it's TOO PERSONAL - then it's inappropriate.

the biggest issue is that i'm in NYC - so i cant really go on the street to make a call cause it's so loud, and we don't get cell phone reception in our building - so i can't walk into the hallway to do it either.

I make personal calls from time to time at my desk, but I limit them to make them very short or I wait until my co-workers leave their desks. If it's a really important call, I go into a vacant office or go outside.

I'm with chocolatine; I make personal calls from my cell phone, either in another office or out in the courtyard next to the building. Although I'm in Chicago, so anytime I make a call outdoors downtown I find myself saying, "Hang on for the El/fire truck/screaming crackhead/loud motorcycle/etc."

Yes, I do. All the time, it helps the day go by faster.

I only make certain calls - I'll talk to my beau for 5 mins during both our lunchtimes - when no one else is around. Or sometimes I might call the bank to check the balance, but thats just pushing numbers, not talking. I try and avoid it at all costs!

I think it's fine to make such calls, as long as you're not doing it all the time AND your work isn't suffering. After all, don't some of us take our work home with us? It's natural to bring our lives to work with us.

Yes i do if necessary but i have my own office so it's not a problem

I make quick personal calls once in a while, but very rarely, and I never discuss anything too sensitive or personal.

I definitely try not to because my workplace is all out in the open. However, if someone calls me and I know it's important I'll answer and talk real softly. I tend to rely on text messages and iChat for conversation during work hours :]

When I'm at work, everything else comes second. Of course, my only "kid" is a dalmatian, so it's not like I have any major emergencies that could crop up.

I make personal calls when necessary, but if it is of a sensitive nature - I find a private room.

I'm surprised how many people make personal calls during the day just to chat with friends, etc. For me, "personal calls" are things which can only be dealt with during hours which I am at work -- like calling a bank, or calling to make a doctor's appointment -- I work 12 hour days, so I have no option but to deal with it while I am at work. Generally, I just call from my desk -- I'm a scientist, so there's enough commotion and noise coming from the lab equipment that it would take some serious work at eavesdropping to listen in on my conversation.

Sure, if it's a phone call I really need to make. But I don't call friends/family just because to have a chat while I'm in the office - that's just rude!

If someone calls my cell phone I can answer it no problem, I just keep it short.

i don't do it much, but i don't hesitate every once and awhile, as long as it's short...and i never say anything too personal...like if i'm angry with my boyfriend about something or we're making plans i don't necessarily care to share with others, i just kinda end it, then text him and let him know what i'm thinking quietly

oh yah, and it always has a purpose..it's never just to chat, more like to confirm plans or deal with something urgent

I work in a small office and have very little work so I end up on the phone a lot. The only calls I have been making in private are to arrange job interviews. Most of my calls don't involve anything really personal though. Some people in the office have very private screaming phone calls and I think that is unprofessional.

I do but they are always very short - like less than 3 minutes

I do make personal calls, within reason. I keep them short and to the point; I don't use my time at work to catch up on gossip with my girlfriends. My office is pretty laid back and really doesn't mind, but I still want to maintain a professional appearance - I don't want them to have any reason not to promote me in the future!

I have a coworker who makes between 5-10 personal calls a day. She has long, loud, drawn-out fights with her friends on the phone.

I have no problem with people making short calls that cannot be done outside of standard business hours (like those described by julieulie), but discussing your weekend or plans for the week is a big no-no. I'm easily distracted by movement and noise so the 15 minutes you spend on the phone are 15 minutes I lose.