“Bang:” the telephone receiver was slammed down.
Guilty as charged, this time.
Ashamed and embarrassed at the action, it was seemingly an uncontrollable response as frustration overcame us from the conversation on the other end of the line.
That was the first time we can ever remember hanging up on somebody, definitely in a temper reaction.
While there’s no shortage of rudeness in today’s society, not talking to somebody before they’ve even started, or into, conversation is most inconsiderate, in our opinion.
Lots of times we’ve heard people answer the phone, figure out who is calling, and, instantly without response, hang up.
Often, the excuse: “Oh, somebody wanted to sell something.”
Probably, that’s the reason we become so offended at others who react so crudely and inconsiderate to phone calls when they don’t want to hear or talk to the one on the other end.
Much of our livelihood depends on the telephone, and when people end conversations, or won’t accept our calls, we can’t do our job as intended.
Of course, it is understandable that one might become aggravated when receiving numerous campaign pleas, prior to the election. Certain people said they had a dozen such calls, sometimes from distance places, where the caller didn’t have a clue where they were calling.
In such situations, we make every effort to bring talking to an immediate end. If that’s impossible, we congenially explain: “We have to go. Thank you.” If they won’t take the hint, we insist: “Your call is appreciated. Goodbye.”
Often, calls of this kind are from a machine, so there is no live person on the other end, and nobody knows if the conversation is heard or not. No harm in stopping that call before it continues.
Another thing that we’ve found increasingly impolite is when we make a call, and the one dialed sees our name, or number, come up on their screen, and won’t answer because they don’t want to talk to us.
So, we use another phone line unfamiliar to them, and get an instant response, even though they’re often quite discourteous.
Reminds us of Psalm 92:6: “A man in his rude and uncultivated state knows not, neither does a fool.” And, First Kings 12:14: “The answer was harsh and rude.” But, Proverbs:18:13: “Reacting before listening is stupid and rude.”
+++ALLELUIA+++