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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think a teacher should use enough manners to say "Goodbye" at the end of a 'phone conversation?

17 replies

Misspointypencil · 09/02/2011 22:50

I've had a couple of telephone conversations with my son's teacher recently. Both times, she has shocked me by simply ending the conversation by disconnecting the call! Am I old fashioned in believing that it's impolite to do this? I know she is probably busy, but how long does it take to close a call with "ok, bye" or something? I wouldn't allow my children to do that!

OP posts:
AgentZigzag · 09/02/2011 22:56

I thought they only did that in American TV progs.

Yup, that's bloody rude.

You have to wind the conversation down at the end, perhaps she has bladder problems?

muttznuttz · 09/02/2011 22:59

Yes it's rude and I too thought they only did that in American TV programmes [shocked]

The worst call I answered was some guy wanting to speak to my Husband..when I picked up the phone he said "Yeah, Danny please"

I hung up on the bastard three times til he got stressed enough to ask "Is Danny there please" Blush

Original poster
Misspointypencil · 09/02/2011 23:00

Haha, I like it! Maybe I should ask her!

OP posts:
AgentZigzag · 09/02/2011 23:05

You could call back and say you thought you'd been cut off because she didn't say she was going?

It's almost like she's saying you're far too insignificant for her to be wasting precious time with common courtesies.

What's she like on the manners front normally?

Some people just don't like being on the phone, if it stresses her out she might just want to get off?

Original poster
Misspointypencil · 09/02/2011 23:19

AgentZigzag I like the idea of calling her back! But surely even if she doesn't like being on the phone, a quick goodbye of some kind would only take a second more. Both phone conversations I have had with her have ended like this, it has been obiously the end of the conversation each time, we have both clarified what needed to be discussed, and I have said "Bye" or whatever, but she won't even have heard that, as the call has already been cut off! Now I teach my kids good manners, shouldn't the school be doing the same?! I don't just think it's being rude to me, but also it makes me wonder what kind of manners are being encouraged in her class...

OP posts:
bupcakesandcunting · 09/02/2011 23:20

"The worst call I answered was some guy wanting to speak to my Husband..when I picked up the phone he said "Yeah, Danny please"

One of DH's colleagues does this if he calls my house! I never answer him, just slam the phone onto the table so it hurts his ear and screech "THERE'S A PERSON ON THE PHONE FOR YOU" to DH.

I might take your approach next time, Muttz.

muttznuttz · 09/02/2011 23:25

bupcakes There's something quite satisfying in their 'stressed' tone of voice...a bit like a child who finally gets ice cream after using the magic word Grin

bupcakesandcunting · 09/02/2011 23:28

Ha ha oh dear.

The first time it happened, my instinct WAS to hang up on the miserable bitch but I think he is slightly over DH at work so didn't want to cause ructions.

I need caller I.D to help combat phone bastards.

dinosaurkisses · 09/02/2011 23:35

Maybe the teacher thinks she is in an episode of Mad Men, and is sucking on a ciggie whilst walking around in a pointy bra and sticky out skirt

Original poster
Misspointypencil · 09/02/2011 23:38

Dinosaurkisses, who knows! But another thing that I think makes it even more wrong, is she's the deputy head!

OP posts:
LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 09/02/2011 23:43

Are these calls a regular thing, Misspointypencil? Are you very chatty on the phone or do you get to the point?

It's normal for a saluation at the beginning and end of a call but perhaps the teacher is 'old school', in the 1930s calls would be brief and ended without fanfare... according to the Agatha Christie dramas anyway.

Original poster
Misspointypencil · 09/02/2011 23:49

Hmmm... interesting theory LyingWitch (I like your name by the way!) but she's in her 30's herself. Of course that doesn't mean she isn't into Agatha Christie though!

OP posts:
Original poster
Misspointypencil · 09/02/2011 23:51

Maybe the next time we talk on the phone I should beat her to it!

OP posts:
LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 09/02/2011 23:57

Thank you! My husband calls me this name... bags of shopping hidden in the wardrobe... long story.

I was quite surprised, Misspointypencil, given that this was the age of 'manners', but it really seems to have been the norm. Perhaps the teacher is just really pushed for time and your calls have been punctuated from her side with harrassed teachers shepherding in errant pupils with pencils sticking out of their ears or something...?

Either way, it is a bit off-putting.. you should definitely beat her to it next time, put the phone down as soon as she says who's calling. Grin

AgentZigzag · 10/02/2011 00:04

'put the phone down as soon as she says who's calling'

Definately the best suggestion yet Grin

prettymuchapixiegirl · 10/02/2011 00:11

Someone I know, who is also a teacher (not saying all teachers are like that BTW) ends conversations by just walking off. She is a fellow mum at the school gate and will come over to talk, and then when her DD comes out of school or she sees someone else she wants to talk to she'll just turn on her heel and walk off. Does it to everyone! Bizarre!

I like the suggestion of putting the phone down when she says it's her calling!

NadiaWadia · 10/02/2011 08:58

muttznuttz - well at least he said please! (yes it was a bit odd, though)

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