I debated if I should write this blog as people are easily offended however I decided to write it anyway. I’ve had 8, yes eight phone calls today (so far). I can only assume that because I am retired my friends believe that I have nothing better to do than sit on the phone with them and talk. Four of the eight phone calls were from friends, one call was from a family member and the other three were spam. The ring tone of my phone combined with the vibration honestly bothers me. The fact that it’s a Monday, I’m a mother, caregiver to a daughter on the spectrum, entrepreneur, author and blogger means nothing to all eight callers. I repeat it’s Monday. I know for sure three of my callers are calling from work. Yes, they are on the clock. No, they didn’t call on either of their off days. Before they launched into their tales about the fabulous weekends they enjoyed, the Super Bowls parties they attended or other life events they wanted to share with me, I stopped them, why you may ask, well they are at work and I am also “at work”. Family caregiving does not have a clock. For me there isn’t a “time to clock out” therefore I don’t have the luxury to stop what I’m doing and shift into a conversation with people. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy the occasional telephone conversation with my friends and family however cell phones have changed they way people communicate or think they are entitled to communicate. None of my callers thought to ask, “what are you doing or is this a good time to talk”? I’m not sure what happened to proper telephone etiquette. If I call someone and it’s not a business phone call, I always ask, “what are you doing” and if it sounds even slightly busy, I will let them know that I can call back later. Personally, I think it’s a show of respect to see if it’s a good time for the person you are calling to talk. I’m old enough to remember when if you didn’t want to talk to someone or you were just too busy to talk, that you could take your landline phone off the hook and all they would get is a busy signal. I really want that back in my life. Cell phones have created a generation of rudeness that I fear will only get worse. People are living their lives with cell phones and/or headsets connected all day. I’m sorry friends and family, I love all of you, but I can’t stay constantly connected. You may want me to be always available but I’m NOT. Cell phones are useful, but they are also a distraction. You may ask why I answer the phone? Well, I have a question for you. When I don’t answer why do you tell me “I called you at whatever o’clock” and let that statement hang in the air? I am not under any obligation to answer my phone or inform you of why I did not answer my phone so please stop asking and simply leave a message and I will get back to you when I can.