Mobiles and younger generation- why don’t they answer!

It does depend on how busy they are and what they are doing.
My son usually rings back as soon as he realises I have phoned. My daughter it could be days later as her life can be pretty hectic. We speak when we can and although as you say you lose the moment there is not a lot we can do to change it. I accept things as they are and it works for us.

Don’t you do the same yourself? If somebody rings me when it’s not convenient because I’m doing something else, I don’t answer, I ring back when I have time.

Can you message them instead?

No Casdon unless I was in a meeting or a funeral I would always answer my phone however busy, I think it’s rude not to

The home phone, same as cell, is for the user's convenience.

The receiver is not available 24/7

Yes of course I can message. Sometimes it’s just nice to have a chat!

Lippyqueen - I only ever WhatsApp/ message the children and grandchildren - they reply almost immediately. It only takes a second or two to reply, whereas a phone call takes up too much or their working day/ night. They are all busy people. I prefer to see them and have a chat. All of us live in the same town, so it’s easy. Also, growing up we never had a phone . We always ‘visited’ our grandparents , Aunties , Uncles and Cousins

BlueBelle

No Casdon unless I was in a meeting or a funeral I would always answer my phone however busy, I think it’s rude not to

Half the time I'm not sure where mine is.

The DGC usually answer fairly quickly, sometimes before I've heard it ring.

They probably just dont want to speak at that time. I text first to see if somebody is free for a call if it is just for a chat.

More and more text messages, less actual talking with many of mine. A couple still ring but I know what you mean - I assume they are working usually.I wouldn’t take it personally,though.

Oh yes, my dear children rarely answer the phone but will always answer messages and quite bizarrely will answer WhatsApp video calls!

I text mine before calling if I just want a chat, but they expect me to answer within three seconds when they call me

I used to be in a meeting with lawyers and Queens Counsel and taking notes when mum would call and insist to speak to me. I found it very stressful.

Mine rings and launches into what she wants to say, regardless of the fact that I may be up to the elbows in flour, or hanging out washing.

I no longer have a landline, but when I did if I didn't answer she would call my mobile, knowing that I 'must be out', so could answer on that, as if 'being out' is not a clue that I won't want to chat.

I love technology and everything it gives us, but I sometimes yearn for the days when people could go out or go away and be uncontactable.

if i need to speak to my son, i call or text my DIL as she has her phone with her all the time, my son puts his down and sometimes on silent, they are both busy, so i don't mind unless it is urgent.

i forgot to say, i have a landline and only use my mobile if i am out, he always knows exactly where i am as he has a tracker on my phone and i don't mind, i have been ill over the last 5 years and sometimes have gone to hospital as an emergency, it means he can track my exact location.

Since you say they usually call you back later, to me that would be the main thing, by far. It means they do want to talk to you. Just not necessarily at your convenience, which is fair enough. They probably have jobs and social lives and other things going on and it's not often a convenient time for them to talk without notice.

Things keep changing as far as the technology for keeping in touch and the expected etiquette that goes with it. It sounds like not being answered at the time hurts your feelings. So I agree with the suggestion someone made to text instead, asking if it's a good time to talk. That might get you a "I'm busy now but will call you tonight," instead of hours without any reply at all

My mobile is always on silent unless I’m expecting a call so the children always message first unless it’s an emergency. I always message them first as they also have their phones on silent plus they can’t use them at work.

I messaged my daughter as in 2019-2021 had to phone as I had many trips to drs or A&E. If I phone she thinks it's an emergency. And she went through enough stress with me. We message most days if I haven't noticed a message she phones to check I am ok as I normally answer straight away .
I tend to message people as I don't know if they are busy or not . Friends and family do the same as out 2-3 times a week.

If my phone rings during my 2 exercise classes I never answer but check after who it was. Family and friends know when my classes are so know not to call.

I would never ring anyone just for a chat without texting first to ask for a convenient time to call.
In an emergency I would call if they didn’t respond immediately to the text. There could be a multitude of reasons it’s not appropriate or convenient to chat.

lippyqueen they obviously do want to speak to you as they call back at times convenient to them.

One of the big problems with mobile phones is the assumption that you are always available. You have to accept that people have busy lives and often, it is simply not convenient to stop what they are doing to chat.

I know what you mean I always answer my phone to family (that’s if I hear it) and call straight back if I missed the call but when I ring my DD’s they rarely answer they are too busy. I do get a call back eventually though!
I notice the trend with friends now is always text to arrange a call first. One particular friend it is hard to arrange the call and I just wonder whether she actually wants to talk to me anymore. We live in a very busy bizarre world now don’t we 😂 text messages seems the way forward and sometimes a quick call is easier I think!

I never phone anyone, family or friends, before texting first to see if they are free to talk. That way they know, particularly my daughter, that if I should ring unannounced it must be something urgent. I’m afraid you can’t expect people to drop everything for a chat especially if they are at work.

Casdon

Don’t you do the same yourself? If somebody rings me when it’s not convenient because I’m doing something else, I don’t answer, I ring back when I have time.

Mobile phones eh, a blessing and a curse.
If someone phones me, I'm out or busy, it takes two seconds to reply with a message. They may have serious concerns, worrying about you if you were sounding down, urgent family news. Reassurance costs nothing does it.