A
Simple Courtesy That Is Slowly Disappearing
We live in a world that has never
been more connected and yet, in many ways, never been more disconnected. We
carry telephones in our pockets every hour of every day. We can text, email,
video chat, and communicate instantly with people around the world. Yet one of
the simplest acts of human courtesy seems to be disappearing right before our
eyes.
Returning a phone call.
Recently, my brother reached out to
my daughter. She was considering visiting a city where he lives, and I
encouraged her to contact him because he knew the area and could help her.
Before she even had the opportunity to call him, he sent her a message saying,
"Give me a call. I'd be happy to help."
He extended his hand.
He offered his time.
He offered his knowledge.
He offered assistance.
And yet the phone never rang.
Days passed. Then weeks. The call
was never returned.
This article is not about one person.
It is not about one family member. It is not about placing blame. Instead, it
is about something much larger that affects friendships, families, business
relationships, and even our communities.
When someone reaches out to help
you, call them back.
Not a text.
Not an emoji.
Not a thumbs up.
Pick up the telephone and call.
The person who called you invested
something very valuable. They invested their time. They made themselves
available. They offered their wisdom, experience, guidance, or assistance.
Failing to return that call sends a
message, whether intended or not. It says your time is more valuable than
theirs. It says their effort was unimportant. It says their willingness to help
did not matter enough to deserve a few minutes of conversation.
Good manners are not old-fashioned.
Respect is not outdated.
Courtesy is not obsolete.
A returned phone call is not merely
communication. It is appreciation. It is gratitude. It is an acknowledgment that
another human being made an effort on your behalf.
Perhaps one of the simplest ways we
can improve our relationships today is to do something that requires almost no
effort at all.
Simply call people back.
The
Lost Art of Returning a Phone Call
There was a time when returning calls
was automatic. Parents taught their children that if someone called, you called
them back. It did not matter whether the person was a family member, a
neighbor, a friend, or a business associate. Returning calls was considered
common courtesy.
Today, many people avoid calls
entirely. Texting has replaced conversation. Convenience has replaced
connection.
Yet there are certain situations
where a phone call matters.
When someone is offering help.
When someone has the knowledge you need.
When someone is extending kindness.
When someone is family.
When someone is taking time out of
their day for you.
In these situations, a phone call
demonstrates respect.
Five
Reasons You Should Call Them Back
1.
They Invested Their Time
Time is the one thing none of us can
replace. If someone reaches out to help you, they have given you something
valuable. Returning the call acknowledges their effort.
2.
Conversations Build Relationships
Text messages exchange information.
Phone calls build relationships. Tone of voice, laughter, concern, and emotion
cannot be fully communicated through text.
3.
You May Learn Something Valuable
A five-minute conversation with
someone who knows the area, the situation, or the problem may save you hours of
frustration and confusion.
4.
Gratitude Matters
When someone offers assistance, a
phone call communicates appreciation. It says, "Thank you for taking the
time to help me."
5.
Someday You May Need Them Again
Relationships are built over years
through small acts of respect. Returning calls keeps those relationships strong
and healthy.
Five
Reasons Not Calling Back Is Extremely Rude
1.
It Ignores Someone's Effort
Someone made the effort to reach
out. Ignoring them tells them their effort was meaningless.
2.
It Shows a Lack of Appreciation
When someone offers help and
receives silence, it can feel as though their kindness was taken for granted.
3.
It Damages Relationships
Family relationships and friendships
often weaken through repeated small disappointments rather than one major
event.
4.
It Sends the Wrong Message
Silence often communicates
indifference, even when that may not be the intention.
5.
It Reflects Poor Character
Courtesy, respect, gratitude, and
responsibility are character traits. Returning calls demonstrates those
qualities.
Perhaps one of the saddest
developments in modern society is not the rise of technology but the decline of
simple courtesy. We have become so connected electronically that we have
forgotten how important human connection truly is.
When someone calls you to help you,
call them back.
When a family member reaches out,
call them back.
When a friend offers assistance,
call them back.
When someone gives you their time,
call them back.
It does not take an hour. It may
only take five minutes. Yet those few minutes communicate something powerful.
They communicate respect.
They communicate gratitude.
They communicate appreciation.
Most importantly, they communicate
that the person on the other end of the phone matters.
One day, we may discover that the
opportunities we missed, the relationships we lost, and the connections that
faded away did not disappear because of major conflicts or disagreements. They
disappeared because we simply failed to make a phone call.
The telephone remains one of the
greatest tools ever invented because it allows us to hear another person's
voice, share a moment, exchange kindness, and strengthen relationships.
The next time someone reaches out to
help you, especially a family member, do something that costs nothing and means
everything.
Pick up the phone.
Make the call.
You may strengthen a relationship, gain valuable wisdom, and remind another person that their time, effort, and kindness truly mattered.
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