The only thing I could think of is if you have a handset that's
compatible with a CellSocket or similar device, you connect that
temporarily to your office phone and then re-connect to the office
system when you're finished. Would be a bit of a PITA and might be
even more frowned on at the office.

I guess the real issue is if you're making so many personal calls that
you can't get them done during break or dining periods, you might be
begging for trouble.

RE/

How about buying a calling card?   The ones I use get me to Europe for about 4
cents per minute, China for about 3.7 cents....and places in the USA for even
less.

You just dial the calling card's 800 number, key in your PIN, then dial the
number you want to reach.

They also have plans where you tell them the phone numbers of whatever phones
you want to use for calling and they give you a local number to call.   Even
cheaper, since the card company doesn't have to pay for the 800 number time.
The local option may not work if your employer's phone system doesn't pass
thorugh the phone number of the instrument you're using, though....

Derek,
If you have call forwarding on your cell phone account and it's not
long distance from your office to your cell phone. You can forward
your cell to the long distance number you want talk to, then call the
cell from the work line. If you don't turn the cell off, it will
probably ring once before it goes to the LD number.

Try dialing *72(10 digit LD number) You should hear a short stutter
tone that resembles a dial tone or call waiting beep, then dial the
cell phone from your office line. The cell will roll over to the LD
number allowing you to use your LD from a landline. When your finished
with the LD call, dial *710 from your cell to unforward it from the
long distance number, otherwise everyone who calls your cell will get
the LD number, instead of you.

Also, I'm not sure if airtime charges apply to the forwarded calls so
you may want to check that out before you get all crazy with the
forwarding.

WW

How about a wireless headset for your cellphone?  You could leave the
cell in your desk drawer, and even pickup your desk handset and
pretend to be using it so you don't look like you're talking to
yourself!

Alternatively, use a LD calling card with a local access number.
OneSuite.com offers a 2.5 cent/min. card that you can access with a
local number in most cities, or use an 800#.