Mobile Nuisance

Other than the Television and Internet, one more modern invention which could make it to the debate of boon or bane, is the mobile phones. Well as we all know, the entry of mobile communication has largely changed or influenced our lifestyle. Gone or the days when we needed to be glued to an office chair, in order to be able to communicate. Mobile phones have given us the freedom to move places yet be connected with business, family and friends. At the same time it has given way for unhealthy intrusion into our private time.

Mobile phones have become hardly a part of our life since 2000, but all of a sudden we feel a sense of being lost in this world, without it. Is it not, true?

The purpose of communication is to enhance understanding, but looking at how mobile phone usage has evolved, it looks like it seems to cause more misunderstandings, than understanding. Well, just read the below sentences and see if it sounds as a familiar complaint, in the recent days.

1. I tried to contact you a number of times, but you did not pick up the phone. (in a frustrated tone).
2. I hoped you will see my number and call me back, but you didn’t. ( in a accusing tone)
3. Are you so busy that you don’t even have the time to attend my phone call or return my phone call? (in a cynical tone).
4. I called you, but you cut my call (in a disappointed tone)

Now, let us take a quick look at the possible reasons why people don’t attend to calls or do not return calls.

• The person was taking a bath or using the restroom.
• He was in his meditation or prayer.
• He had gone for his morning walk or exercise.
• He was having his meal.
• He was driving.
• He had left the mobile phone in another room and was sitting elsewhere.
• He was in a meeting with a client.
• He was in a social occasion, where the external noise was so loud that he could not attend the phone or felt uncomfortable to do so.
• He was upset over some personal problem and was not in a mood to pick up the phone.
• The person thought he would call you back, but then totally forgot about it in his busy day’s work.
• He was focused on some important project that he did not want to get diverted by the phone call.

The reasons could be many and there is no obligation for the person to confess to us every time, why he did not pick up the call.  Now, it is not fair to expect someone to attend our call, irrespective of his preoccupations. We need to respect their privacy.

Well, very often in the above situations, we too would not pick up a call, but when we take the other side, we tend to get irritated. When exercising judgment, the benefit of doubt should always be in favour of the opponent. We need to understand that no one is under any compulsion or obligation to attend to our call. Just because someone did not pick up our call, we do not have the right to condemn them. If we do so, it just means that, we are spoiling a relationship.

We all know, that mobile phone has taken away quality family time.  People are finding it more and more difficult to cope up with official pressure which is due to the mobile intrusion in unofficial hours and vice versa. It really annoys me, when someone finds my mobile number in my business website and gives me a call at 9.00pm and asks me for some business information. Life has to be a balance of work, family and personal interests. If we are really interested in achieving this balance, we need to be ready to make some life style changes.

What I am about to suggest may look a little difficult to practice, but this can save us a lot of undue pressure. You can avoid giving your mobile numbers to everyone you come across. Limit your mobile phone acquaintances to a close circle of people whom you know. To start with, you can avoid printing your mobile number on your business cards.  Request your office secretary and spouse, to take a message from any caller who calls your land line number and not to give your mobile phone number to someone, unless the person who is calling or the situation on hand, is very important.

While mobile phone has given us the luxury of staying connected irrespective of where we are, let it not take away the freedom of allowing us to do what we want to do.

Happy Reading,

D.Senthil Kannan

Article dated Aug'10