Mr. Manners

I'm not going to name names, but someone I'm married to whose name rhymes with "Trissa" screens her phone calls. If she doesn't recognize the name or phone number she doesn't answer. (Sometimes, even if she knows who is calling she doesn't answer). I on, the other hand, answer every call--including the ones that say "unknown caller" or "out of area."

We told a neighbor about this today. She agreed with Chri--I mean the person whose name rhymes with Trissa. It got me thinking. And I've decided there are three reasons I always answer.

1. I am curious to see who's calling
2. I like to be honest
3. I like to be polite

When I'm watching a movie I'll still answer; but then I'll say, "I'm watching a movie. Can I call you back?" If they call late and I'm tired I'll still answer, talk for a few minutes, then beg myself off to bed.

Our neighbor say, "No. They're being rude for calling so late. Why should you be polite?"

I say, "You don't gauge politeness by how you treat polite people, but by how you treat impolite people."

Here's the funny thing about "Trissa." She doesn't answer the phone but still she expects them to leave a message. In fact if they don't leave a message she gets a little bugged. I laugh because I think, "If you were curious about who was calling, why didn't you answer in the first place?"

I mean, seriously: What if it's Ed McMahon?