Let's discuss boundaries.
See, I sometimes wonder if it just me. Or does everyone around me really lack boundaries, and something is wrong with them.
I know that because I work (I use the term "work" loosely. I now answer the phones and do the billing for Kenny's company. Work = 2 - 3 hours per day. But still, these things must get done.) from home and Kenny has his own company, people tend to think we are available all the time. Sure, Kenny is home a lot during the day, but that doesn't mean he is camped up on the couch watching TV. Sometimes, he is doing work from home. Imagine that. But none the less, we are home. So we get called upon to babysit during the day or unclog drains or whatnot. Either that, or my friends want to come over and hang out all day long, like I was just sitting around with nothing to do. Hardly. And probably this would not be an issue if it was just one person, but someone asks something of us everyday. I have taken to not answering my phone. Which one would think would solve the problem.
But no. Because apparently nobody has manners anymore. Did you know if someone doesn't answer the phone, you should call them back immediately. Maybe even four or five times in a row. If that fails, send a text message. Don't even think about the fact that you might be interrupting a phone call with a client or an appointment with a doctor. No way! You have something important to say, like, "Let's do lunch!" And? If you can't get through by phone, well just stop by. I mean, someone not answering the phone is not a clear indicator that they are busy. Nope, it means they are craving an unsolicited visit from you!
You would think that my friends and neighbors would have figured out by now that I have a formula. The more times you call me in a row, the longer I take to call you back. Seriously. I add two hours for every additional phone call. For real. Ask Kenny. He laughs at me when I actually time it. Just doing my part to teach people boundaries, since, obviously, their mamas didn't.
But maybe I am expecting too much of people. Maybe this is normal. The cell phone age and instant message era and so forth.
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5 comments:
My favorite is when they call, allow it to ring until voicemail, hang up and immediately call back.
There is a special level of Hell reserved specifically for those people.
My favorite is when they clearly know you IGNORE the phone call and keep calling.
What I love is when they call, do not leave a message and then call later and say, "why didn't you call me back?"
How do I know you want me to call you back if you don't leave a message? As far as I know you could have misdialed.
Having always worked from home myself, I can understand this problem. You're at work and your child's school calls, saying your child is sick? No problem. Call Linda and ask her to pick up said child and babysit said sick child all day. Don't worry that she's working and doesn't get paid for work that isn't produced, work that might be on a deadline. I found that even other writers, who should have understood, didn't or pretended they didn't. I finally learned to say no, to tell those that showed up at the door that they were going to have to follow me to my office because I was working on a deadline, or even to occasionally answer my door with keys in my hand, saying, "It's so nice to see you but I'm afraid we won't be able to visit."
Mom
HILARIOUS! Boy, glad I am across town and couldn't cross those boundaries if I wanted too. Not that I EVER would. OMG!
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