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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Would you call a land line at 9.30pm?

248 replies

Tinkerbec · 16/12/2017 21:34

Someone has just called my home for my mother who is out. Waking up my dd.

I think it is way too late. I know its a Saturday but really!AIBU?

I find land lines intrusive at the best of times.
Grrrr! Not happy.

OP posts:
JasmineB89 · 16/12/2017 22:00

Up until 10pm

ADishBestEatenCold · 16/12/2017 22:01

A lovely lady, who used to work as a governess (don't know if that's relevant, except manners were part of what she taught) used to tell me

"Never earlier than 10am, nor later than 10pm".

SquirrelPlantedBeech · 16/12/2017 22:02

I have a landline. Live semi rural, very poor mobile signal.
After 10pm is unreasonable.

Snowman41 · 16/12/2017 22:02

really feel for the parents whose children can't sleep through the phone ringing.

God me too, it must be a nightmare having to tiptoe around the house every evening!

Huskylover1 · 16/12/2017 22:04

I am usually in bed by 9pm lol

What? Are you 95 years old?

cardibach · 16/12/2017 22:05

I’m with NurseButtercup.
I’m also a bit c9mfised about how landlines seem t wake all the children - when I grew up you were lucky to have a landline. Mobiles weren’t a thing. People phoned, children somehow slept through it. What changed? My own DD used to sleep in a bedroom above the room my DP practised music in with his quartet. You could hear them on her monitor. She didn’t wake.

cardibach · 16/12/2017 22:05

I’m a bit confused, is what that should say.

Petalflowers · 16/12/2017 22:06

9pm limit unless pre-arranged or an emergency.

DereksGotATail · 16/12/2017 22:08

9pm is my cut off time unless its urgent.

thegreylady · 16/12/2017 22:09

Up to 10 for family and close friends otherwise I wouldn’t call a landline after 8.30 unless it was really urgent.

KatherinaMinola · 16/12/2017 22:09

I was taught that social hours for calls were 9am to 8pm. Out of those hours I'd only call close friends or relatives, knowing what hours they keep.

Carouselfish · 16/12/2017 22:09

Millhouse I was coming on to say that. I think Curb questions posed to Mumsnetters could keep us going for a whole year at least.

daisychain01 · 16/12/2017 22:10

I can't think of any reason why someone would need to call after 9pm - what would be so earthshatteringly urgent that couldn't wait until the next day.

If it's an emergency, or prearranged with the person to convey information, or you are close enough to them that you know their routine and know they don't mind, then fine - but not if you haven't called at that time before. It's inconsiderate and invasive.

MyBrilliantDisguise · 16/12/2017 22:10

MN is so weird about this.

Are you also people who don't answer the door?

Talkingfrog · 16/12/2017 22:10

Depends who I am calling.

My parents, yes I know they will be up and I would call up until about 10.30. My mother in law until about 8 ish as she will be awake but in bed - I would text, message or email her instead.
Otherwise until about 8 or 9, unless there was a baby in the house.

BackBoiler · 16/12/2017 22:11

We can have music on and the kids will not wake! Surely you nattering on your mobile would be louder than the quick ring of the landline!

LBOCS2 · 16/12/2017 22:13

* I can't think of any reason why someone would need to call after 9pm - what would be so earthshatteringly urgent that couldn't wait until the next day.*

But you could say the same thing about 8pm. Or 10pm. Or any other arbitrary time, surely?

Talkingfrog · 16/12/2017 22:13

When did was a baby and I wanted to nap while she was asleep I would turn the phone base and handset ringer off. Answer machine off too so it didn't disturb.

As long as you remember to turn them back on afterwards. Can view the number for any missed calls afterwards anyway.

knotswapper · 16/12/2017 22:14

I haven't had a landline for years either. 9pm is my cut-off although I'll text later if it's a thank you after being a guest at somebody's house.

Gemini69 · 16/12/2017 22:14

my landlines have all ringers switched to silent... and an answering machine takes all calls.. although there are very few calls.. Xmas Grin

Gwenhwyfar · 16/12/2017 22:15

"I am usually in bed by 9pm lol "

This is unusual for an adult and you can't expect other people to live like that.
My cut off point would be about 10.30pm. I wouldn't expect and adult to be in bed before then on a regular basis.

PeonyBucket · 16/12/2017 22:19

I'm under 60 and my friends are under 60 and we all have landlines.
All my family have landlines. We all have mobile phones also.
I live in an area with rubbish mobile coverage so I really need the landline.

It depends who I'm ringing as to the cut off time. I probably wouldn't ring anybody after 9pm unless it was very important, even though I know they'll be up. I expect people will be winding down and doing their own thing at that time. If my phone rings after 11pm I usually panic that something's wrong - I'm rarely in bed before 1am so it's not that they're disturbing my sleep. It's just too late for a casual call.

SD1978 · 16/12/2017 22:20

Would depend. My parents I’d call up until 22.00. If it’s someone I know well, and know they would be up, probably the same. Someone I didn’t know well, probably won’t contact after 21.00.

PavlovianLunge · 16/12/2017 22:20

I wouldn’t phone after 10pm, and probably not after 9pm. I wouldn’t call before 9am.

SkyIsTooHigh · 16/12/2017 22:21

9pm unless it's my parents, 9.30 prob absoute latest for them.

However this means I rarely manage to speak to anyone!

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