Tell her I’m out of town

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.

  • bwilson

    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.

  • newarview

    It’s even worse at doctors offices. Some of those front desk people think they’re the gatekeepers for the Lord himself.

  • ictBest

    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. :(

  • ksfarmgrrl

    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!

  • loopyd21

    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.

  • LonnythePlumber

    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.