Hudson Valley Happenings Blog : Help Me Drag My Husband Into This Millennium

Paddy, too funny! I understand exactly how he feels but it is what it is... Such is the world we live in. :-)

It is rough but we gotta keep up or get left behind in frustration.  Thanks for the comment C

Yes, I am guilty of the same thing as your husband -- I really get tired of not being able to reach someone.  In bygone years we didn't have the same time pressures and need to get things done as we do today -- so when we're slowed down by not being able to cross something off the list -- it is frustrating -- we all have such long lists these days. ~ Evelyn

But at least if we leave a message they know we are trying to reach them Evelyn.  My husband will never get an answer if he doesn't let them know he needs one.  Thanks for stopping by.

One of my pet peeves are people who don't leave messages. I am on the phone MOST of the day and cannot always answer the phone call when it comes in. But if someone leaves a message (preferably a message with a short explanation of what they need) it makes life sooo much easier. I know this frustrates people who want to speak to someone and NOW but sometimes that just isn't possible.

Paddy,  I would say times are a changing but they have already changed.  I still prefer to talk to people instead of email, texting and chat.  But I am willing if the need arises.

I used to have some of those same views.  Somewhere in time, I realized that the more I fought it, the worse it got on me.  Although I don't pretend to understand how the stuff works, somewhere I embraced technology for my Notary Signing Agent business and I couldn't be happier.

I am a huge believer in technology. On board I utilize the following gadgets: Of course my blue-tooth cell phone, voice activated GPS (couldn't live without it), my laptop on a very cool device called an Airdesk with wireless internet of course, a Traffic Gauge which gives me readings on freeway traffic throuout the greater L.A. and Orange county areas and saves me hundreds of miles each month, a laser printer-for all those last minute emails and faxes that title/escrow like to send and my ZUNE MP3 player to keep me rollin'.

Am I missing anything? I must need a new toy....... :-)

"A Quick Note"

www.aquicknote.net

Good luck with him Paddy.  My husband usually won't leave messages either.  He hates to talk on the phone too - always asking me to do the calling.  And that's the last thing I want to do after a day full of being on the phone.  Ahhh - the old fashioned guys...

Hi Paddy,

Take comfort in knowing that you are not married to a one of a kind person. Many folks don't like leaving a message, as is obvious by the number of dial tones I get on my answering machine.

Maybe a lil hand holding would help. Next time he isn't able to reach someone and doesn't want to leave a message, suggest that he give you the phone and leave a message for him. When the person calls back, your husband will soon see the miracle of today's method of communicating. Then MAYBE, he will jump, hop or crawl up on the band wagon. If not, just continue to listen to the grumbling with a smile.

Well, at least we return calls. Some keep driving around in circles for hours and wonder how come they can't find the place. I guess he has to do (or not do) what good/bad for him until he figures it out lol!

I hate that Susan.  The only time I don't leave one myself is when I already left one but am trying to catch them for the some reason.

Holy crap Shannon.  I bow down to the queen of technology.  I am coming on in baby steps here but at least I am moving forward.

Hi April.  I used to make a lot of the calls for him too but I have decided he needs to realize that sometimes the big boys have to do for themselves (Did I just say that??? Oh my:)

Been there tried that Hal.  Thanks for the suggestion though I think he will grumble forever.

Do you know my husband Sally?  That's him circling now, LOL

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

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...

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...

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

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!

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!

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" :)

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!

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!

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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

I agree 100% Lisa.  It is soooo frustrating.

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).

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.

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