Have Some Consideration, Please!

Commentary:

What is it with some people?  Anyone who uses a cell phone knows that when you call someone while they're talking with someone else, both sides get a beep to let the recipient know that you're trying to reach them, and to let you know that the recipient is having a conversation with someone else.

When I call someone and and I hear the beep, I immediately hang up knowing that they're on another call. I don't understand why some people insist on letting that beeping go on. As we all know each beep cuts out words in the conversation.

For me, it usually happens when I'm negotiating a deal or making an important sales call. Each beep seems be perfectly timed to block out the most critical information. It's really a high tech way of interrupting someone while they're talking. You wouldn't act rudely in a face-to-face conversation. Well anyway most of you wouldn't. Why then do some practice bad manners with the phone?

I know what you're thinking. Why doesn't he just press the ignore button? Because, I'm focused on my conversation and by the time I have a chance to break and press it, a couple of three beeps have messed up the call. And besides, I shouldn't have to program myself like Pavlov's Dog. 

Hang up when you hear the frist beep! The call log on the phone will let the person know that you've called. Unless of course you have Block Caller ID. Which brings us down another road.

Block Caller ID is a form of high tech anti-social behavior. What is your problem? Who are you hiding from? America's Most Wanted?

When I receive a business call and I see Block Caller ID on my phone, I get the creeps. I feel like the call is coming from the deepest region of Hell and the Prince of Darkness is on the line. Come to think of it, only the Prince of Darkness has the right to harass someone with that infernal beeping. That's his job.

Again, when you hear the first beep, hang up. Call me back later. And creep me out a second time.