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Help Me Drag My Husband Into This Millennium

By Paddy (Patricia) Pizappi

Real Estate Agent with Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty

September 11, 2008 03:38 AM

Last night my husband was trying to reach someone with a question. He really wanted to speak with the person and was totally frustrated because he could not get an answer at the person's home number. I asked him if he had tried the guy's cell and he said no. So he dialed the cell, waited while it rang, and hung up in disgust. "It was the message," he said. I said "But you did not leave a message for him." He said "I don't like to leave messages." Well whoop de do, who does?

I got to thinking about how it was way back when "I were a child" and we had no answering machines, no cell phones, no voice mail boxes, no computers, and no way to let someone know you were trying to reach them other than sending a letter or going directly to their house. I think my husband would prefer to live in that type of world. He wants to speak to a human being or not at all. While I admit I really get frustrated by phone tag sometimes and I grumble about too many emails, I could not do business, keep up with my kids, or function without the ability to connect so easily with others. It is truly amazing that I can get a message to Sally in Hawaii or Jesse in Alaska quicker than I can walk next door to borrow some sugar.

Our world is shrinking because of our ability to communicate faster. We are able to build friendships without barrier of distance interfering. We are able to conduct business from remote locations almost as easily as we can from home or the office. It is truly amazing.

Now if I could just get my husband to leave a darn message for people rather than complaining that he can never get in touch with anyone. Any suggestions???

I'm Paddy Pizappi - Work with Me and You'll be Happy! And hey please leave a message!!!!

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C Tann-Starr

Tann Starr & Associates, Inc. - Palm Bay, FL

Paddy, I'm choking on laughter here. You make a lot of calls for him, eh? Mine thinks I am his personal secretary. (LOL)

Sep 11, 2008 05:34 AM

TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.

Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN

Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

Paddy... I like your husband used to get my urinary tract highly upset when people did not answer. Now I leave a VM or text them. When they get back that's cool...

Sep 11, 2008 05:36 AM

TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.

Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN

Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

Paddy... I like your husband used to get my urinary tract highly upset when people did not answer. Now I leave a VM or text them. When they get back that's cool...

Sep 11, 2008 05:36 AM

Kara Casamassina

International Property Management Group, LLC - Aiken, SC

Boomers and beyond

I hang up sometimes when 'the machine' picks up, too.

Sep 11, 2008 05:45 AM

Elizabeth Nieves

The Elizabeth Nieves Realty Group - Durham, NC

Bilingual Raleigh - Durham North Carolina Real Estate Team

I remember THOSE days! In fact, I was telling my kids a story the other day when I mentioned that I was in a car accident (when I was a teenager). I was telling them how I had to sit on the side of the road until someone stopped to help me. They wanted to know why I didn't just use my cell phone. Ummmm...well...they weren't invented yet! LOL

GBU, Paddy!

Sep 11, 2008 07:39 AM

Teresa Harris

Lake Real Estate, LLC - Denver, NC

Denver . Lake Norman . Charlotte

Paddy, my husband seems to be the same way and I have to admit I hang up too at times. Now days it really doesn't make much difference to some people because even though you leave them a message they will not call you back. Take care!

Sep 11, 2008 07:47 AM

Mandi Perkins

Pioneer Title Agency - Pinetop Lakeside, AZ

Paddy I love people like your husband. I almost always answer my phone so I get a lot of clients that way!

I discoved using the call back method.....but it only works on cell phones. Instead of leaving a message you just select the call back option and it automatically detects your number and sends a text message. Good luck with your "caveman" :)

Sep 11, 2008 09:56 AM

Charlottesville Solutions

Charlottesville Solutions - Charlottesville, VA

lol! Best of luck with that one!

Funny thing is you can tell him my 86 yr old mother is an email junkie!

your friend in Charlottesville!

Sep 11, 2008 10:36 AM

Laura Cerrano

Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY

Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Paddy, I know sometimes I can't get to the phone sometimes and then there is no message :( Tell him the person could do *69 (that's what it is here) and get the number of the last incoming call anyway!

Sep 11, 2008 02:46 PM

Paddy (Patricia) Pizappi

Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty - Pine Bush, NY

Real Estate Associate Broker Hudson Valley NY

Hey C how much does that add to your annual salary???

Come on Michael We might get him to leave a voice message but text? I don't think so. Let's just work on the leaving messages on the phone for now.

Kara, what if the person is racing for the phone and the kids did not put it back where it belongs and they finally find it just as you decide to hang up? A quick message is all it takes to get a call right back.

Isn't it funny that our children can't fathoum that our world was so different, Elizabeth? Did you have a phone with a dial instead of buttons? My kids thought that was odd.

Teresa, I know a lot of people don't call back but I prefer to let them know that I need them to contact me or to just say I was thinking about them. Sometimes you need that.

Thanks for the tip Mandi. Around here there are people who don't have unlimited texting (I do I have teens here) but they don't like you to text them cause it costs $

Charles, if only... Tell your mom "You go girl!"

He doesn't care if they know who called Carole. He would just like them to answer when he is ready to talk. He does not consider that they may be busy and can not talk then. How many times has he told me I will call them tomorrow I don't feel like talking right now??? Can't someone else feel that way too, not in his book, if he is ready the world better be ready, LOL.

Sep 11, 2008 10:35 PM

Mike Saunders

Retired - Athens, GA

Paddy - I know a lot of people like that, my mother in law for one. If she gets a live person you can't get her off the line, but, if she gets a machine, lockjaw.

Strangely, there are times when I would rather leave a message than talk to the person I am calling. They usually answer.

Sep 12, 2008 12:33 AM

Paddy (Patricia) Pizappi

Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty - Pine Bush, NY

Real Estate Associate Broker Hudson Valley NY

Sometimes it is easier to leave the message so the person can get you the info and call back prepared to answer if you have a question. You are right. My husband is not a big talker, I guess that's why he married me so I could take over for him, LOL, so he does not spend a lot of time on the phone even when he gets a person.

Sep 12, 2008 01:20 AM

Becky Cook

EXIT Realty Services- New Paltz, NY - Highland, NY

Ulster County, NY- New Paltz, Highland, Marlboro, NY Real Estate

My husband is the same way, I don't understand it!!! He is looking for a new job- because "corporate restructuring" could mean his disappears any day. He's been freelancing at another company for about a month now and is hoping to get a job there. Yesterday he got an e-mail from his boss at the freelance job asking him to call ASAP. So he called, but he got voicemail. He didn't leave a message. I asked "why not". He said, "Oh, I'd just rather talk them them.". UGH!!! Now she probaby thinks he blew them off.

Sep 12, 2008 05:12 AM

Paddy (Patricia) Pizappi

Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty - Pine Bush, NY

Real Estate Associate Broker Hudson Valley NY

When will they learn? Becky I hate when they are soooo stubborn. Come on guys, everyone is busy and we need a word to let us know what you want. It is not so hard really it's not!

Sep 12, 2008 05:19 AM

Dr. Stacey-Ann Baugh

Century 21 New Millennium - Upper Marlboro, MD

A doctor who makes house calls.

Maybe its a guy thing because my husband never leaves messages unless its work related, but he's more than happy to email. He's not afraid of technology just doesn't get the concept of voicemail.

Sep 13, 2008 12:35 AM

Lisa Friedman

Alliance Realtors - Bedminster, NJ

Central New Jersey Real Estate

I hate when people tell me they've been trying to reach me and they haven't left one message. It is a waste of time for them and is frustrating. If they had left a message, I could call them back within three hours. Some people tell me they've tried me ten times and it is really irritating because I hate to see people waste time and get annoyed with me when it is their fault for not leaving a message!

Sep 15, 2008 12:40 AM

Paddy (Patricia) Pizappi

Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty - Pine Bush, NY

Real Estate Associate Broker Hudson Valley NY

Maybe it is a guy thing Stacey but my husband does not do technology at all.

I agree 100% Lisa. It is soooo frustrating.

Sep 15, 2008 12:50 AM

C Tann-Starr

Tann Starr & Associates, Inc. - Palm Bay, FL

Hmm... Paddy, I think it actually deducts from my "annual salary" (LOL). Mike is crazy in a nice sort of way.... I've been trying to get him to make his own phone calls and he just puts it off so he can call me later to ask, "did you speak to them?" When I say, "no," the next question is usually, "Well, why not?" Then we engage in "circular arguments" that go nowhere. This can go on for days (LOL).

Sep 15, 2008 01:25 AM

Paddy (Patricia) Pizappi

Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty - Pine Bush, NY

Real Estate Associate Broker Hudson Valley NY

You mean if you don't so what is not your job he gets upset? Yes that happens here too. We need to ask for a raise C. I think we need it.

Sep 15, 2008 02:13 AM

Tina Christein

American Acceptance Mortgage, Inc - Chattanooga, TN

That reminded me of when I first got caller id. I was away for the weekend and checked my messages when I got home. I had a few but was shocked when I acutally saw how many people had called and not left messages.

Anyway, don't feel bad, my husband won't check his messages until his voicemail is full. That's just as bad. Maybe we should teach them how to text. lol

Sep 15, 2008 12:04 PM