I don’t claim to be any relation to Emily Post or to follow her proper rules of etiquette, I can never even remember where to position the silverware when setting the table. Nor do I usually bother with a napkin, except for when eating barbeque. However, I believe that I still possess a somewhat high level of manners, such as saying ‘Excuse me,’ after I belch loudly in public.
And while trying to live in a way that’s respectful to others I also try not to call anyone in the wee hours of the morning a.k.a before 9 a.m. Apparently some people aren’t as considerate.
With today’s technology we can contact someone from anywhere around the world, at anytime, via a computer, cell phone or other type of gadget. Which doesn’t mean that I want to be available to talk 24/7. My preferred hours of fielding calls are between 9 a.m. (10 a.m. for non emergencies) and 5 p.m., with a 30 minute break for lunch at noon. I will squeeze in some evening calls, depending on the television schedule for each night. Wrestling is on Monday nights so unless you are calling to tell me that you won the lottery and feel compelled to share it with me, it can wait till 10 a.m. Tuesday morning.
I’ve never been a big proponent of talking on the phone, mainly because I don’t like disturbing the person on the other end. Not to mention the fact I usually don’t have very much to say. I’d hate to interrupt someone while they are using the bathroom, listening to their favorite song, or in line at the grocery; but by calling after 10 a.m. I can at least assume they are likely out of bed.
There’s not many things worse than being stirred out of a deep sleep by the phone ringing. The worst thoughts immediately come to mind as for someone to call before the sun rises must mean that a life is in danger. And if its not concerning such an emergency the well being of the caller will then be at risk.
There are of course exceptions to the rule, once a certain type of bond has been established with an individual calls are more welcomed at any hour. My girlfriend is allowed to call at 8 a.m. err 8:30 a.m. while on her way to work, but unless we’ve ever kissed I’d rather not hear your voice until an hour or two later.
Seriously, does common etiquette not include waiting to call people until after the crack of dawn? Especially those who are essentially strangers, not only have you never kissed, but haven’t even shaken their hand. With very few exceptions, I never call anyone before 9 a.m. and try to wait until 10 a.m. just to be safe, make sure breakfast is over and they’ve had their coffee. Plus I rarely have anything to say that’s so important that I can’t wait until society is fully functioning to say it.
I recently received a call at 7:15 a.m. by a man (whom I’m never kissed) and talked as if it was in the middle of the afternoon. No expressions of concern about waking me up or apologies for calling so early despite my groggy responses. IF I did ever call anyone at such an hour, I’d at least acknowledge it and try to make amends, especially in a non emergency situation. Nothing was said that couldn’t have waited until after lunch. I would just never think about calling someone I hardly know so early, most businesses don’t even open until 8 or 9 a.m.
The call concerned an article that the individual wanted written. I made a post on Facebook later that morning stating that I wasn’t going to do the article, but I failed to mention its for reasons beyond the wake-up call I received. He could have called at 2 p.m. and it wouldn’t have made a difference other than me being more coherent. Some comments were made on the post kind of berating me for turning down news and not being more receptive. I should have called those people who criticized me at 7 a.m. the next morning to see how they like it, but I was still asleep.
If Miss America were to call so early, I’d still think it was rather unprofessional and inconsiderate, especially since we haven’t kissed.
