To think people who ring you but then leave you waiting are a PITA

[balletnotlacrosse]

Twice this week I've received a phone call where someone's secretary has said 'can you hold for a call from xxx' and left me waiting for several minutes . So basically, they're too busy and important to waste time dialling and waiting for me to answer, but I'm expected to hang on and wait for them to deign to come to the phone. WIBU to just hang up in future when someone tries this stunt?

My boss used to do this to people. Sometimes he asked me to make the call (cringe) So old fashioned and yes, very rude and self-important.

So no, YWNBU to hang up on them and explain by when they phone back. (That is assuming you are not reliant on these people for important business!!!)

No, not reliant on them so don't think I'll have any scruples about replacing the receiver and letting them ring back themselves and not be so bloody rude.

I have to get calls for my boss, it is a very old fashioned practice now.

My boss is 79 though so it's not that surprising.

I had to do that back in the 80's and it was infuriating when you got the other party on the line and then when I tried to connect to my boss he had bogged off to the loo or phoned his wife mistress and so wasn't available to take the call anyway despite having told me the exact time he needed to speak to them.

When asked whether I can hold, I've been known to say "No, sorry. Ask him to phone me himself."

Icimoi - Unless the person phoning is in my office and up the management line from me (and that has not happened for years) I do the same. No, sorry, I have other calls to make, please get him/her to ring me when s/he is free.

Does this still happen?

I used to have to deal with a lot of solicitors (is it always solicitors?) but I left that job 4 years ago and TBH it was getting much rarer then.

it is absolutely to make the point they they're too important to make the call themselves and that their time waiting for you to answer is more important than your time waiting for them to pick up.

YANBU. Although don't just hang up, the kind of boss who still gets their PA to make a call for them is probably the kind of person who'd give the PA a bollocking if you've hung up while they've kept you waiting.

Agree with PPs who've said to say you can't hold and please call back.

I used to work for a guy who used to ask me to get his wife on the phone for him!

When they come on the line, just say "is that x? Can you please hold the line?" Then go and make a cup of tea.