October 19, 2006

• pet peeve

  this is not a new one, but i've only started realizing this recently - it really bugs me when i call people on their mobile and they don't pick up.  i've grown up in a professional environment where it's simply not acceptable to miss a call.  when the boss calls, it means something urgent came up which must be tend to. immediately.  now of course it's never a matter of life or death, but you Never.Miss.A.Call.  'nuff said. 

  so over the years i came up with a number of "habits" that help me pick up the phone within 3 rings, like having the most shrill, annoying ring ever; sleeping with the phone next to my bed; holding the phone in my hand when i'm walking outside (so even if i don't hear it in the street i'll feel it vibrate); and checking my phone religiously to see if i've had any missed calls.

  so like i said, this never bothered me until recently... My mom just retired and has a lot of free time on her hands, so i try to call her to chat when there's a break in my schedule.  unfortunately, she never picks up the phone, nor does she know how to detect a missed call or check her voicemail.  and so i call, and call, and call... but most often then not i'd end up getting "9 1 9 6 3 8 8 7 is not available at the moment.  please leave a message after a beep. [BEEP]"

  one day, just as i was getting particularly annoyed, it occured to me that it's me who has a problem.  *most* people don't really care if they miss calls.  if they don't hear their phone, they don't.  or maybe they just didnt feel like picking up.  or maybe they're in the loo and can't get to the phone. either way, it's not a big deal as there are much more important things to worry about than missed calls. 

  doesn't mean it doesn't still annoy me though.  old habits are hard to kick.

  *****************************************************************************
  photo from family trip to taipei a couple of years ago.  good times.

  

  • 11:53 am
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