Writer's Block: Miss Manners

[1ticor]

CELL PHONES!   I have no prob with answering the phone when it rings, the cell phone is for your convenience, no one elses.  Once a friend invited me to lunch, we were just starting conversation when his cell phone rang.  No big, you answer the phone, deal with the issue and, get back to your company.  Instead, the entire lunch was consumed by him

Comments

[osodecanela]

I hear that one loud and clear. As some one who goes no where w/o my cell given the vagaries of my profession, I understand how intrusive it can be. Once needs to maintain some common sense as well as common courtesy, which in our society is sorely lacking all too frequently.

What I DO also note with the advent of this technology, is the trouble with ear pieces. If I'm walking down the street alone or in a store alone, I personally see NOTHING wrong with a quiet social conversation over the phone. It's no different that the same social conversation with thsomeone were they standing there with you. However, it's disconcerting to see someone walking down the aisle of the grocery as they shop, while they appear to be talking either to themselves or to some ghostly apparition only they can see. It's not psychosis, it's a bluetooth.

[osodecanela]

Oh and one further thing, if I may. For those of us who have to rely on our phones for business, like MD's, I find it HIGHLY annoying when people opt to block their numbers when calling your line. When a call comes in, and I'm in a social or professional situation, if I cannot tell if the number is blocked if it's a call I must take, or allow the voice mail to answer. It's rude to me and to the person I'm with.

I have come up with something that does get me off the line quickly. If it's clear the call isn't urgent, I rather promptly say I'm with a patient, or if the person I'm with understands my sense of humor, I say, "I'm sorry, but I'm looking at a naked person right now, I really cannot talk."

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[dorisduke]

Did you mention to this friend how rude this was?

Re: ...

[1ticor]

Yes, I did explain and he thought I was unreasonable for bringin it up.