Why do people answer their cell phone and then tell you “this isn’t a good time to talk”?
The only good reason I could see for this is that you’re expecting an important call, but you don’t have time for any calls except that one. However, doesn’t caller ID solve that problem?
Furthermore, if you’re willing to pick up the phone and answer, it seems you must be willing to talk to SOME people who call, so shouldn’t the real response be, “This isn’t a good time to talk to you“?
It’s a good question. I’d like to think people do it not because they DON’T want to talk to you, but because they really actually do, and feel bad blowing you off because they’re in the middle of something. If they really didn’t care, they wouldn’t answer the phone at all.
That is why the heavens provided us with voice mail. Just let the call go to vm. I don’t knowehy that would be so difficult for some.
Maybe some folks feel obligated to answer if they are at all available and it is the particular needs of the caller that determine whether it is a hood time or not?
I do it when I have been playing phone tag with the caller and, wanting to speak with that person, and just need to confirm where the caller might be in, say, 15 minutes.
Also, I think it is more personal than a voicemail. In a sense, it’s like a personalised version of voicemail. It’s not for everybody, but it is certainly a viable option.