2008 Woodie Awards
Still Waiting for Your Call
Ed Troxell
Issue date: 3/11/08 Section: Opinion
In today's world almost everyone is "on." If this is a foreign term let me explain what it means. Always "on" means we are constantly connected, either through our cell phones or the Internet. Looking back ten years ago it would not be as common to find someone who had a cell phone or computer let alone Internet. Today however, it is rare to find someone who doesn't have one or the other, especially those of us in college.
Given the background let me share one of my biggest pet peeves, not returning a phone call or e-mail. It is one of the most frustrating, irritating, and annoying things I can think of. It is common courtesy that if someone calls or e-mail's you, you will get back to them.
I know you received my message because lets face it; almost everyone is constantly on the phone and checking voice mails. Same goes for e-mail's; I don't know anyone who doesn't check their e-mail throughout the day. Yeah, I'm sure you're busy and very important, who isn't these days!
All I can ask is to be acknowledged for the act that I have tried to get in touch with you. Is it really that hard to just take a minute to let me know what is going on? Yes, some like myself like to disconnect every once in awhile. We travel places; we don't get reception/ Internet connection, that's fine.
However I am talking about the individuals right here at home. Those that I know are here in town and have access to a phone or computer. The one's who are just "too tired" to let me know what is going on.
I love the excuses I get when I confront others about this issue. You know the ones I am talking about. "Oh I didn't have my phone!" All weekend? Or "my phone has been acting up!" Why not fix it; it's obviously a problem. "You called?" Yeah I did, and left messages. Oh how about this one, "I lost my phone!" Well you found it, so why not get back to me and let me know that. Even a text message will do.
Now what about e-mail? It seems to me that e-mail has become as much of an addiction as the latest craze, "Crackberry." Like "Crackberry," there is always a device, in this case a computer, tempting us to touch it. Go ahead, push a couple keys in, and see how it feels to have those smooth letters rubbing up against the bottom of your fingers. Look at the screen! That large, wide, 20-inch, crisp, colored, flat screen.
Given the background let me share one of my biggest pet peeves, not returning a phone call or e-mail. It is one of the most frustrating, irritating, and annoying things I can think of. It is common courtesy that if someone calls or e-mail's you, you will get back to them.
I know you received my message because lets face it; almost everyone is constantly on the phone and checking voice mails. Same goes for e-mail's; I don't know anyone who doesn't check their e-mail throughout the day. Yeah, I'm sure you're busy and very important, who isn't these days!
All I can ask is to be acknowledged for the act that I have tried to get in touch with you. Is it really that hard to just take a minute to let me know what is going on? Yes, some like myself like to disconnect every once in awhile. We travel places; we don't get reception/ Internet connection, that's fine.
However I am talking about the individuals right here at home. Those that I know are here in town and have access to a phone or computer. The one's who are just "too tired" to let me know what is going on.
I love the excuses I get when I confront others about this issue. You know the ones I am talking about. "Oh I didn't have my phone!" All weekend? Or "my phone has been acting up!" Why not fix it; it's obviously a problem. "You called?" Yeah I did, and left messages. Oh how about this one, "I lost my phone!" Well you found it, so why not get back to me and let me know that. Even a text message will do.
Now what about e-mail? It seems to me that e-mail has become as much of an addiction as the latest craze, "Crackberry." Like "Crackberry," there is always a device, in this case a computer, tempting us to touch it. Go ahead, push a couple keys in, and see how it feels to have those smooth letters rubbing up against the bottom of your fingers. Look at the screen! That large, wide, 20-inch, crisp, colored, flat screen.
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