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

I think the etiquette now is never to call for a chat unless it's prearranged.

I WhatsApp or text children and grandchildren, or even my family so as not to interrupt if they’re busy.
Funny that they expect me to answer pronto if they ring. I answer if I can, otherwise call back.

Freya5

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.

The way I see it is that phones are the servant of the user, so no, I don’t message back immediately if I’m busy. I leave a voice message on my answer phone if I’m busy for a while, so they know what I’m doing, which is what I did when I was at work. People managed for thousands of years without mobile phones, so an hour or two now before I reply isn’t going to make a difference. The only exception is my children, who will ring me on both the house phone and the mobile more than once if there is something really urgent - I think it’s only happened once ever. We’re on a family Messenger group, so I talk to everybody via that a few times a day anyway - it’s much more convenient than interrupting each other by phone.

When do you ring them?

I have never in the course of my marriage got out of bed when DH and I were enjoying ourselves there, just to answer the phone (or the door-bell for that matter.) And it is at least 40 years since I last sprinted out of the bath to take the phone.

I suggest you simply ask these younger relatives what time of day suits them best if you are to phone them.

I honestly do not know why you let this bother you, as they do phone you back. The inference is fairly obvious, that they were cooking, putting children to bed, or dealing with something else they could not leave off.

Elowen33

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.

@#£

I would have thought this was obvious.

Aldom

Norah

I think the younger generation may prefer email.

I much prefer email to disruptions.

I think the younger generation would not consider emailing. It went out with the ark.

Different families tolerate different communication.

Ours email, no phone unless emergency.

Norah

I think the younger generation may prefer email.

I much prefer email to disruptions.

I think the younger generation would not consider emailing. It went out with the ark.

My GC do talk with me on WhatsApp, but bizarrely, it seems that they message their friends. DD tells me that her younger colleagues are reluctant to use a telephone for work purposes.

For the younger generation it is the norm to text rather than to speak on the phone. I accept that this is the way of the world now. However I still like to talk in person to someone on the phone where we can chat and laugh. For me personally I find texting cold and impersonal but that is just me!

I think the younger generation may prefer email.

I much prefer email to disruptions.

I rarely answer calls. I just call back when it’s convenient. If I want to speak to them

Young people hate talking on the phone (as do I.) Unless it’s something really important, I find it an intrusion. I’m forced to drop everything and answer and I hardly ever pick up. My daughter and her friends always message first and only have a conversation if it’s essential.
I can understand you like talking to your GC so perhaps you should schedule a regular call so you can catch up.

I'm the " guilty party" in this situation.
My beloved children tend to assume that if they're free, I'm free , which isn't always the case. Sometimes I can't communicate immediately.
Recently I turned my phone off after one of mine called repeatedly. On the train home, I texted back to say that I had been visiting a friend seriously ill in hospital...

My 35 year old daughter told my elderly aunt during a visit last year she never answers calls. Neither does my 24 year old granddaughter.

They both WhatsApp regularly and if I need to speak to them urgently I message first so they answer.

At Christmas, birthdays etc they do video calls or Facetime or whatever it's called, which i hate because I don't like looking at myself on the screen.

Seems to be how it is now but heyho at least they keep in touch so I'm grateful for that

I don't feel I have the right to demand someone's attention so I often text first to ask if someone is up for a phone call.
It's unreasonable to expect anyone I decide to phone to be instantly available to take my call.

I think it is really rude when you are talking to someone and they break of or turn away to take a mobile call.

Why should the person you are talking to be put on hold rather than the person on the phone?

Phone my mum around same time twice a day, mainly to check she’s still breathing. If she can’t answer she will send me a heart- we chat every day.. I can send my Newphew a text, he will eventually answer a month later as though it was five minutes ago 🙄

lippyqueen

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

Could you message "are you free for a chat please"? Might work.
It does with four of my five adult children.
The other doesn’t even keep her phone with her most of the time.

Three sons mostly the same son one normally goes to answer phone son two always at work son three the same. I usually text to be fair fir the same reason as you hate being ignored.

My family and I use WhatsApp to keep in regular touch.
The phone is only used for urgent important information or emergencies. We meet up fairly frequently for face to face chats.
Same with friends, unless face to face is not possible, then we arrange to phone at a pre arranged time.

Incidentally I hate posts that start with an implied criticism of a younger generation!

I use WhatsApp with my AC. I think it is easier for them with their busy lives.

Exactly I agree Freya

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.

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.