I get that not everyone wants to talk to me. Fine. I understand.
But it really, really, really irritates me when I call to interview someone and I’m told they can’t be reached because they’re out of town.
Really? Hmmm. No cell phone? No e-mail? They’re not calling in for their messages?
Hello! It’s 2008. Time to think of new excuse.
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To expand on Carrie’s point, I detect a decline in the civility of assistants and receptionists at some businesses around town:
To wit: With growing frequency, I get the “not here” response when I call.
Well, I’m probably sharp enough to figure that out since I’m not talking to the person I’ve called.
The courtesy of a “but he’ll be back this afternoon,” “he’s gone for the day,” “he’s gone for the week,” even “he’s in outer Tibet hunting yak” is appreciated, albeit an endangered species.
Apparently.
It’s even worse at doctors offices. Some of those front desk people think they’re the gatekeepers for the Lord himself.
The bad thing about being out-of-town, I had this experience a couple of weeks back. #1, I was sort of out of my mobile phone coverage plan, meaning that I was going to be tagged for paying for every minute (changed that when I came back by going to a national coverage plan). So I limit my mobile phone use to almost zilch.
Then the hotel I stayed at had a weak wifi signal and every time I tried to check my e-mail I was getting kicked off within minutes.
So ok, this is an isolated case. But anymore most people can be reached by number of different sources. So I hear you. Because when I came back I got an ear full from people trying to get a hold of me or not responding to my e-mails and phone messages while I was gone.
I guess I need to weld a crackberry to my hand like the rest of them.
Journalistic impatience and hubris? Waaaaah. You cant reach someone the moment YOU want to reach them? Hey, here’s a clue. They’ll call you back. Or not.
I think, to quote Seinfeld, “they’re just not that into you” at the WE!
I agree that if someone doesn’t want to talk to you, they still need to have the professionalism to give you a proper and honest response. But when someone is on vacation they should be off-limits. It’s impossible to truly “be there” and enjoy your time away if you are expected to check messages and e-mail.
An interviewee is limited in their ability to influence what the interviewer will print. You can’t correct a misperception. An interviewee must accept what someone else says about them whether it is true or not.
After the way Carrie has treated Kirstie Alley I am suprised that so many are still willing to talk to her. It does seem like only the same small circle are willing to talk to Rengers.