Pet Peeve

I've kinda had an issue with this since everyone started carrying cell phones several years ago but it is become progressively worse. I see it being the worst in the twenty something age range where most people use a cell phone and don't have a home land line. I am guilty of this part. Unless you specifically use TiVo or live in an area with terrible cell service (obviously not anywhere near a city, town, or interstate) it's not necessary to have a land line anymore. I don’t even think apartment complex dial in boxes require the use of a land line if the connected cell phone is relatively close by. However, if you are one of these people that use a cell phone as your primary or only non-work contact please learn some freaking etiquette. This includes the PROPER use of functions on the phone you probably spent too much on. These include some of the following:

If you are screening your calls, and don’t want to answer a specific one, then learn how to let it go to voicemail. Often times people forget they have a phone with them and not on silent/vibrate. Learn which button silences the ring and which one dumps the call to voicemail. If your phone is off, I’m going to voicemail within a ring if not immediately. If you are away from your phone, it’s probably going to be something like 5-6 rings on my end. If it goes three then I get dumped, I know you are scrambling to silence the thing or more than likely screening the call. At least make me think you aren’t screening my call and let the ringer run it’s course before I….

Leave a message. Don’t call me 4 times in an hour but not leave a message. If you need to get a hold of me, let me know. If you just want to say hey, let me know. If you are going to be stopping by or want to grab a drink later, let me know. I may be in a meeting. I may be taking a nap. I may be on the other line with the folks. I may be out to dinner. Hell, I may be screening my calls. If I have a message not only do I know what you are trying to get a hold of me about, I can find a way to answer if the question requires a timely answer. I can always bang out a text or give you a quick call back from the pisser. Nothing is more annoying than having your phone in your pocket constantly buzzing. I know the difference between a new call and a message (voice or text). With a message I know it’s something that may or may not require attention. If it’s a call with no message, I assume it is of little importance and won’t call back or respond.

This works the other way around as well. If I call, I will almost always leave a message if I don’t get you. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, listen to the message before you call me back. You may not even need to call me back. I may tell you when I’m going to be at the tailgate or that I’ll be a minute or two late. It may also say that if you don’t get this for 15 minutes, don’t worry about it. It may also say that I am about to hook up with the hottest chic in town (stretch I know) for some unknown reason and that if you do call me back I will kill you, but will fill you in on the details later. You may even be bale to shoot me a quick text back that takes care of my question, who knows. Regardless, listen to the message first. PLEASE!

If you are one of those people that answer your phone at dinner, meeting, some casual place where you are with others, keep your conversation volume to a minimum. I don’t want to hear one side of a conversation I could give two craps about from 20 feet away. I’m probably talking to someone else in this public place. Think about the rest of us. This especially applies to all the Nextel people out there. If you aren’t in your work truck, office, or work site, turn that damn thing off. If you are leaving it in your office unattended, turn the damn thing off. When you get “chirped” and don’t answer, everyone else has to listen to the effing thing beep for the next hour and those things are relatively loud. As a matter of fact, if you don’t absolutely have to have a Nextel, don’t get one to start with. Get a cell phone and coverage that let’s you be “paged.” Plus you won’t have to wear that holster anymore. Oh, and if you do Bluetooth, try to avoid it in the grocery store. I really do think you are randomly talking to yourself or me for at least the first 15 seconds I hear you or see your mouth moving.

When in the car, wear a headset, Period. Afraid you will look like an idiot with one on if you aren’t talking? Fine, leave it lay to the side or in the center console. Don’t like the Bluetooth flashing light in your headset? Me neither. Get a car with it already installed or get a wired headset. Bluetooth headsets are cool until you take them off and can’t hear your phone ring. I am tired of getting stuck behind those of you in the left lane with you phone propped against your shoulder while you pretend to drive. If you are doing this and see everyone and their third cousin pass you on the RIGHT, get over. Check your mirrors first and try not to swerve too much. You’ve already not been doing this as well.

That is all…for now.