Valhalla Island

I have a phone answering policy that I think more should adopt. I’ve been using it in practice for a few years now but haven’t ever stopped to think about exactly what I’m doing. When trying to work out what unspoken rules I follow it comes down to just one simple rule:

If I’m not expecting a call, I don’t answer the phone.

I thought it might have had something to do with the time of day or week but when someone calls at 7AM, it’s never expected so it’s never answered. Although I do think it’s rude when people call unannounced before 9AM or after 5PM, the decision to answer is covered by the above rule.

It might seem self-important or obnoxious but I’m just not contactable at the whim of anyone else. Before phones, no one would ever drop whatever they’re doing because someone wants to talk to them. It doesn’t even happen with face to face conversation, no one demands attention like a ringing phone does.

Leave a message, I’ll deal with it when I want to deal with it, not when you want me to. Even if it’s 5 minutes from your call — It makes a big difference.