Why don't people ask!

[Daisy]

This is a bit of a rant! It's lovely to have friends who just drop in or phone for a chat, but am I expecting too much to wish that they'd just say "have you got time to chat" or "is it convenient" or something.

I was getting dinner ready tonight just before 6.30 and I answered the phone to a friend of OH's. Juggling hot pans in one hand and the phone in the other I asked how he was and then jumped in with 'I suppose you want to speak to the boss-man' and handed the phone over to OH. Half an hour later when dinner was ready, he was still on the phone. I put OH's dinner in the warm oven and started to eat mine. Eventually OH came and joined me.

"What did P want?" I asked.

"I don't know, really" said OH. "Just a chat I think".

I think OH is more polite than me, because I'd say I was sorry but I was just cooking dinner could I phone them back later, but OH never will! Cold meals, late for appointments, whatever, he doesn't seem to be able to make his excuses.

But surely if you're phoning someone for an unimportant chat that you just check it's a good time for them!

(By the way, I really do appreciate our friends, it sounds as though I'm anti-social doesn't it.)

[Oma]

No Daisy not anti -social at all , I know what you mean B is the same I tell him to say he will call them back but he wont , many a time I have had to take his meal away and heat it up again when hes came off the phone ,
He cant turn anyone away ,
If my sister calls I will tell her we just about to eat and then call back later , different if they are upset but if its just a chat then it can wait

[Daisy]

Oma, I'm so glad I'm not the only one! And that B is like J - can't say they'll call back. Yes, if someone's upset that's completely different and you drop everything and listen.

[Enfys]

It must be man thing, P is the same. Nothing wrong in saying we’re just about to eat, I’ll call back, but he just won’t. The times I’ve practically finished my meal before he gets back to his!

[Plantaholic]

Very irritating but the phone calls were always for me. OH never answered the phone unless I was out.

[Gemini]

Oh I totally agree Daisy! It is common sense and good manners to ask if this is a good time to talk.
I'm afraid some people have the 'I have nothing to do right now so surely this is a good time to chat' attitude, disregarding what may be going on on the other end of the phone!

[Daisy]

I thought my OH was the only one who couldn't say 'we're about to eat' or something! I assumed it was because he grew up in a busy vicarage where it was 'open all hours' but I don't ever remember FIL missing a meal. Perhaps in those days people had more regular eating times, and not everybody had a phone!

[Nanto2girls]

You don't sound anti social at all Daisy.
My hubby must be the odd one out,because if someone calls him, he will say i'm just having dinner,i'll call you back.
I do as well,unless like you say, different if someone is upset.

[Daisy]

Nanto - I could do with your OH explaining to mine how to deal with this situation!