Pet Peeve Week: #2
Pet Peeve #2: People who answer their cell phones when they're busy
Yeah, you knew it was coming. I've documented my feelings on cell phones several times over the few years I've been blogging. It's because time and time again, I've seen cell phones turn good people into rude people. But I've softened my stance over the past year; and if I do say so myself, I've come a long way. After all, I didn't say "ALL cell phone users," I chose a specific subset.
Let's say I call you on your cell phone, just to chat. Note that I wouldn't do this, because I don't talk. This is hypothetical. I call you, and you answer your phone. I assume that because you answered the phone, you're available to talk. Maybe it's my fault for assuming this, I don't know. But you know it's me, because you can see the caller ID, and because you assigned Justin Timberlake's "Sexy Back" as the ringtone for when I call. Then when you answer the phone, you say, "Hey, can I give you a call back in 10?" I'm uncomfortable because you just made me feel like I interrupted something.
So now let's say we're having a conversation in person. Again, this is hypothetical. Then someone else calls you on your cell phone. You pause mid-sentence to look at the caller ID, then you stop what you were saying and let me know who's calling. You say, "One sec," then answer the phone. Then you proceed to ask that person if you can call him/her back in 10. First I'm annoyed, because you could have just sent the call to voicemail if you didn't have intent to talk to the person. Then I start to get insecure, because I wonder if you did that as a way out of our conversation, and you were just putting me on notice that our time to talk is limited. Then I get mad, because it's natural to get mad after feeling insecure.
If you're busy and I call you (and you're not expecting my call), don't answer. If it's important, I'll keep calling. Otherwise, just enjoy that 30 second clip of "Sexy Back" and call me when you're free.
5. Incorrect sports terminology
4. People who don't hold doors
3. "Libary"
2. People who answer their cell phones when they're busy
1.
Comments
cadiz12 said:
AMEN, omar. but i cannot tell you the number of times i've ignored someone's call only to have them call the other person i was having dinner/shopping/hanging out with thirty seconds later and then be berated for not answering my phone.
No Cool Story said:
Call waiting face-off: A phone call is interrupted by another call waiting...the person fielding both calls is forced to make a decision between the two. (Seinfeld)
:(
This is why I don't put my friends on hold.
I'm secretly hoping they won't put me on hold either.
Tori :) said:
I think I agree with you 100% on this one. I hardly ever answer my phone because 1/2 the time I don't have time to talk. Leave a message at the beep.
Lisa said:
If it's my husband or kids, I answer.
Jonathan said:
Omar - Half way there. Got 15 more days of posts in you?
Keep up the good work!!!!
Oh, hold on I have to go answer the phone :)
Nobody said:
"because it's natural to get mad after feeling insecure."
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAA!
NCS doesn't put you on hold. She just hangs up on you. Repeatedly.
Jon said:
I guess I'm just the opposite. I recently bought one of those machines that telemarketers use to automatically dial numbers for them, and I've reset it to just call my cell every 15 minutes or so. I only answer it if I'm on another call, or in the middle of a conversation, otherwise I ignore it. It has an automated message that tells me how awesome I am. It lasts about 5 minutes. I guess I just like to feel important. Definitely more important than the people I'm talking to anyway. Is that so wrong?
Rhonda said:
I hate when people answer their cell phone while dining out, which is considered busy right? If your with me, it's just rude. If your the next table, I don't want to listen to your lame ass conversation about whatever lame ass thing your lame ass friend called to talk about. :)
aubrey said:
i, too, hate that embarrassment of calling someone and then they ask if they can call me back. so, if i am calling for a long discussion about something or other i always, without fail, ask, "am i interrupting something?" or "do you have time to talk?" why i have to ask this makes no sense according to your pet peeve, because if they answer their phone then that means they are available to talk. but what irks me is when i call someone, they pick up, i ask them if they have time to talk, they say yes, and then a minute into my conversation they say, "actually, i'm pretty busy, can i call you right back?" i'm confused.