Busy 🤦‍♀️

[Noglassjustthebottleandastraw]

Am I seriously being unreasonable in thinking that everyone who I speak to rambles on about how busy they are? Are annoying? Here's an idea... learn time management, priorities and boundaries!!!!

Or the fucking cherry on the cake....
Every business social media is about how busy they are. Sorry but it totally puts me off even entertaining a business saying constantly how busy they are.

If businesses are so busy then they obviously don't need my money or custom. It makes me feel like I would be annoying them to use their business.

Just ranting because I can't sleep due to the biblical rain and had a look online for some presents for a 21st and a 11th birthday. Won't be using them because they are all moaning about how busy they are!!!!!

Anyone else?

I had it not so long ago where I emailed a company and had to ask several times for an issue to be sorted out. Their response was "we've been sorting out our social media". It would have taken 5 minutes to reply to me!

@Mangogogogo I'm not lying. I genuinely am booked for the foreseeable. I can fit one client in in September for a weekly slot but that's it

Am I seriously being unreasonable in thinking that everyone who I speak to rambles on about how busy they are? Are annoying?

YABU, it’s just something people say when someone asks ‘hoe are you?’

You’re probably making them feel uncomfortable so they’re giving you platitudes instead of saying anything personal.

Maybe think about how you could be making people feel.

Just ranting because I can't sleep due to the biblical rain

Someone else could you find your use of extraneous information about not being able to sleep annoying. Or your cliched hyperbole about ‘Biblical’ rain.

@theghostwriter parts of NI flooded last night due to the rain, I got bloody drenched twice yesterday!

Hmmm does it not depend on the type of business.
We have posted that we are busy and you are likely to have to wait several weeks for boosters and other routine appointments - were a vets.
This is because everyone got pets and there is an international shortage of vets as so many have left the profession due to burn out.
We post to manage expectations and stop people yelling at my reception team as they can't just pop down this afternoon for a booster,

YANBU OP.

I avoid ever saying the word if I can. I'll leave busy as a description for someone working in a hospital, for example.

As for companies who use the word, often as an excuse for 'we did not plan correctly', it has begun to lose its meaning, so even if they are, many do not believe them.

I had this when I booked a gardener who had advertised on Facebook.

he didn’t turn up and I messaged to ask if he was coming and got back “you need to understand how busy I am”

i admit I was miffed considering he’d actively advertised and agreed an appointment with me

No idea about businesses (I don't follow any on SM and they don't say anything on their websites. The only one I know is busy is when I book the dog groomer as I have to wait weeks).
But ask 'how are you' and you often get 'busy' as a reply, because that's the socially accepted thing. I've said it myself. I've just finished renovating my house and I'm in between jobs, so I'm not busy at all at the moment, and even when working have time - my kids are pretty self sufficient). But that doesn't seem an interesting thing to say.

It's a badge of honour though isn't it to be busy.

We seem to hold people who are busy in higher esteem than those who aren't.

If you're not permanently busy then you must be lazy and that's the ultimate sin in today's society.

Don’t let it make your brain busy.

Here's an idea... learn time management, priorities and boundaries!!!!

Maybe they are busy because they do these things. I’m off today but my work days are busy because I manage my work day so it doesn’t spill over into my down time, I prioritise a good work/life balance and I have good boundaries. If I didn’t do these things my days off would be spent catching up so I prefer to be busy on work days.

People say it to manage your expectations about what they can deliver - whether they are friends or businesses. Friends say it so you know it'll be tricky to arrange to meet up, businesses say it so you know you might have to wait for an appointment or product. If it is an honest description rather than a lie, I don't see the problem.

Here's an idea... learn time management, priorities and boundaries!!!!

Are people complaining though? I think being busy is just normal most of the time depending on your job and how many kids you have or how many hobbies or days out you like to have. It’s just a simple statement saying you’ve got stuff going on. In many ways it’s a good thing.

If I’m busy in a negative kind of way I would say I was a bit ‘swamped’ or just say I have too much to do at the moment - and that’s then not down to time management or priorities, somethings a lot of things just need doing.

Busy = very good at what they do and in high demand.

For example, my hairdresser is always busy; she works 8-8 five days a week and is always fully booked, because she’s a bloody good hairdresser. And she also has a personal life. I don’t mind waiting/booking well in advance because she’s worth waiting for.

A lot of businesses have workers down with Covid. Maybe the better word is "stretched"?

Exactly. I’m occupied with things when I’m not at work, but wouldn’t say I’m busy, just have life things to do. Meeting with friends is an occasional pleasure as our work diaries have to sync, but the perpetual cry of ‘I’m so busy!’ is usually some kind of ‘complaint’ or put-down…‘I’m so popular, and wanted’.

One of my colleagues is always doing something, every night, every weekend, no idea where she gets her energy from, until I realised she hates being alone, and can’t tolerate being introspection. That’s fine , each to their own, but don’t use that as a smug weaponisation of busywork.

"Meeting with friends is an occasional pleasure as our work diaries have to sync, but the perpetual cry of ‘I’m so busy!’ is usually some kind of ‘complaint’ or put-down…‘I’m so popular, and wanted’."

This sounds like paranoia. Being 'busy' doesn't imply that you are overwhelmed with social events and fun. It can equally mean that you have lots of boring commitments or appointments. I'm too busy to meet a friend after work next week because I've got to rush home on the three days she suggested - tesco delivery, oven being cleaned and yes one prior arrangement.

But I am busy. I have two young children, a full time job and a lot going on. I do realise it can get wearing when people go on about how busy they are so I make an effort now with friends not to make that my go-to response. It’s hard though because it’s true!