Understanding When to Make a Phone Call

When is it appropriate to pick up the phone and reach out to someone? Should the answer be "never"?

To be transparent, I've been quite busy and feeling overwhelmed lately. Just last week, my dental clinic faced issues with water and electricity, which required costly private services to resolve. Additionally, I've been managing a backlog of patients and emergencies.

This brings me to a recent incident: I ordered a water flosser for a patient who couldn’t locate the exact item online. Since he’s a nice guy and will soon be my neighbor, I thought, "This will be simple! I’ll just message the business account that sells water flossers. One text, a quick Google Pay, and I can have it delivered to my doorstep to send to him."

However, after sending my message, I received a phone call from the lady at the business. Unfortunately, I was in the middle of my lunch break—the only time I get to relax between shifts. I really dislike receiving calls during this brief respite, especially ones that aren’t urgent. I prefer to take calls from patients in distress who might benefit from my help, as it offers both financial and personal satisfaction—yes, I admit I can be a bit shallow in that regard.

This leads me to ponder: how appropriate is it to call someone for confirmation or clarification when the information could easily be conveyed via text? Shouldn't we adhere to the principle that texts should be responded to with texts? Just because WhatsApp displays a phone number, does it mean it’s acceptable to initiate a call instead of sticking to text communication? Or does this behavior reflect laziness or greed on the part of the business?

I'm eager to hear your thoughts on this matter. Of course, I’ll provide a thoughtful response on Medium, as it’s a platform that respects boundaries!

The first video, "How To Get People To Pick Up The Phone When You Call," offers insights into effective communication strategies.

Section 1.1: The Importance of Choosing Wisely

In business contexts, choosing the correct method to communicate can significantly impact relationships. Text messages are often less intrusive and allow for convenience, while phone calls can sometimes convey urgency.

Subsection 1.1.1:

Chapter 2: Exploring the Balance of Texts and Calls

The second video, "How to Answer an Incoming Call While Already on the Phone," discusses managing multiple communication streams effectively.