Telephone Etiquette!

[mishalak]

I wrote my last post because I got called just as I was going to sleep. I thought I'd warn off people about calling me after 9:30 in the evening since that's a bit earlier than etiquette calls for. Then irony of ironies I got a call at 11:45pm after I was actually asleep. Someone named Mark who thought he knew me. Maybe he does, but it was all I could do to not be profane to the bastard since I was not awake. What in five bleeding hells is wrong with people??? NEVER, NEVER, NEVER call anyone after 10pm local time unless you know the person you're calling to be awake or it is an authentic cannot wait emergency.

What the hell is wrong with the world that I, of all people, have to explain this? Didn't their mothers teach them this? Merciful Zeus!

EDIT: I do know Mark and I called him the next day. He said he didn't realize how late it had gotten until he heard me groggy. He feels properly chastised now so it's all good.

Comments

I'm with you

[roadnotes.livejournal.com]

I was raised to understand that you never call anyone before 9 am, or after 10pm, unless it's an emergency or you've gotten clearance to do so. And I don't.

Re: I'm with you

[mishalak.livejournal.com]

The same goes for me. I just don't get it. That's so basic how can a parent fail to teach it? "No dear, it's after 10 o'clock, you'll have to wait to call your friend tomorrow." Or do the angry people after 10pm not clue them in?

Re: I'm with you

[filkerdave.livejournal.com]

You and me both!

And 10pm is pushing it if they have small children.

[qingting.livejournal.com]

Etiquette? What's that? ;-)

Most people these days have no concept of it, were never taught it, and I actually know people who don't know the definition of the word. Really. It's sad but true.

Never assume. Always ask for what you want. Set your phone hours and feel free to be mean to those who ignore them. :-)

-jude

[lysana.livejournal.com]

Etiquette seems to be one of those things that people think is a sign of snobbishness. Thus in a feat of reverse classism, they refuse to practice or teach it. But damned if they don't see rudeness in others...

[threeringedmoon.livejournal.com]

I don't make calls after 9 pm or before 9 am. I usually go to bed at 9 so I don't like calls after that time.

[cakmpls.livejournal.com]

Given that it was Friday night, I suspect that the caller may have had a drink or six. Most of the time when people call here late at night, that's the case. (And they're almost never getting the right number.) People who are drinking tend to lose track of time, along with their judgment and their belongings.

[mishalak.livejournal.com]

Well he knew my name, so it would be a bit of a coincidink if it was indeed a wrong number. I know a number of Marks, can't think of who this one might have been.

[bugshaw.livejournal.com]

If you got his number from Caller ID, you could wait and phone him back at 6:30 am. "Hi, I'm awake now, what was it you wanted?" ;-)

I need an Evil icon really, for posts like this.

[mishalak.livejournal.com]

I figured out who it was an gave him a call today. He considers himself fully chastised now.

[dreamshark.livejournal.com]

I always thought that the Do Not Call After hour was 11pm, but I grew up on the east coast. Minnesotans seem quite sure that it's 10pm, and I've adjusted since I've been living here. Still seems awfully early to me. Any east coasters reading this? Does the Polite Time vary by time zone? I remember discussing this with someone a long time ago who thought that a) there is a regional difference and b) it has to do with when the evening news airs.

11:45, however, is too late for anyone to claim they thought they were being polite.

[filkerdave.livejournal.com]

Lifelong New Yorker.

10pm is the latest, unless you know for SURE that it's OK. And even then, I'm leary.

[lysana.livejournal.com]

I grew up in MA, and 10 PM was the limit I learned.