I try not to have too many pet peeves, but lately I’ve developed one that’s just wearing me out. I work for a ministry with 30 employees and 40 or so children in residence. With disturbing frequency, I’ll answer the phone and get this:
“Someone just called me from this number.”
Okay. Fine. Now what? The callers never seem to have any notion who might have called. But they clearly think I should be able to tell them who it was. Seriously??
If it was important, whoever called probably would have left a message. Maybe they’ll even call again later. If I call someone and hang up without leaving a message it’s typically because I didn’t have anything to say. Oh, for the days before caller ID.
My husband and I don’t answer the phone during meals. We don’t answer the phone if we’re in the middle of a riveting movie. We don’t answer the phone if we’re, um, indisposed.
Dad was once at a friend’s house. They were sitting on the porch talking when the phone rang. Dad finally said, “Your phone’s ringing.” His friend said, “It’ll stop. Always does.”
I don’t like to be told what to do by a bit of electronics with no soul. If you want me to call you back, please leave a message. And if you don’t, I promise not to randomly call the last number to call me.
Meet Sarah
I’m lucky. I live where you really can’t expect to complete a conversation on a cell phone, so I don’t try. Just let it ring, and when I’m in town, down the mesa, I’ll call back.
We don’t get reception at my house–I LOVE it.
Seriously. I never pick up the phone unless I’m expecting a call, or a family member is calling. Otherwise I’d be fielding sales calls and wrong numbers (we are one digit off from a trucking company) all. day. long. I have writing to do, and a call can jar me out of it for quite a long time beyond the duration of the actual call. Just the thought of calling one of those numbers back… who has that time???
I know–right?!?
Yeah. There are times and places that are just not appropriate for a phone conversation. I try not to answer at those times, but sometimes I just do. Compulsively. I repent, and I’m not going to do it! Before cell phones, if you weren’t home you couldn’t answer your phone. You were doing something else. Then came call-forwarding, and now our phones follow us everywhere!
I know, I’m programmed to answer the phone. But I’ve learned to resist!
I hate when caller ID says “private caller.” AND I hate when I do answer and it’s a machine talking away with it’s speel. But the worst is when I answer and someone says “Who is this?” Well… “Who were you calling?” DUH
I had a lady call the other day and tell me what the call was NOT (sales, telemarketing). I asked her why she was calling then and she seemed stumped. Finally she just started back in on the script. I said no thanks and hung up. Sigh.