Five Routine Minutes: A Texting Problem
Posted: August 15, 2012 Filed under: Five Minutes | Tags: Cell Phones, comedy, grief, humor, kids, Mobile phone, postaweek, Text messaging 32 Comments »Last week, I found myself on the horns of a texting dilemma. I didn’t even know text messaging had horns.
It all started when my employer issued me a new cell phone.
Sadly, they did not arrange to transfer all my stored numbers to the new phone. I’ve remedied that gradually by storing numbers as my co-workers call me. This gradual method is the cause of my problem.
After work, I got a text message from a person who works for me. I know that much because of the way they addressed me. This person wanted me to know that they’d had a death in their family. The message told me how sad their family was at the loss and that they’d just learned of the passing of their loved one.
I felt terrible for them.
But there was a problem. All I had was the sender’s phone number. I’m sure that I must have had this person’s number in my old phone, but that phone is no more.
I sent back a very generic message of condolence, thinking their answer might clue me in to who I was texting with. The reply was not helpful.
That told me it wasn’t a wrong number, but I was no closer to figuring out who I was consoling. I thought of calling the number, but I’m so bad at identifying voices on the phone, I knew that could only lead to disaster. The person said they would be coming in to work for a few days before leaving for services for their loved one.
I returned to work. It would only be proper for me to say something encouraging to someone who suffered such a blow. I had no idea who I should be saying something encouraging to. Perhaps I should have said something generally, to everyone on the shift.
That didn’t seem like a good choice.
No one said anything. No one burst into tears. I talked to everyone on the shift when I got the chance and tossed out some general questions about how things were going for them.
Three days later, the mystery mourner stopped by my desk and spent a few minutes thanking me for my support.
yes, texting clearly has horns! I have no idea how I would have handled something like that.
I hope you never have to, but I’d you do. If someone I don’t like ever has that problem, I want them to try the generic announcement. I’m curious how that would work out.
“Where applicable” = fabuloso.
I wonder if they make greeting cards for situations like this.
“Whoever you are
Whatever your loss
My thoughts are with you.
My condolences – The Boss.”
You could just leave the card on the break room table…unaddressed.
I am your boss that’s true
But today, that’s not the only reason
It sucks to be you.
They say people go to a better place
I can’t tell that by the look on your face.
I think you’re on to something.
Nice!!!
Muy excellente, Katy and Oma! Bravo!
I’m late to the party, but …
Your relative’s dead.
It’s sad but it’s true.
About who you are,
I don’t have a clue.
Love it!!
hahaha
It’s a gift…I think.
This is so hilariously perfect!
Void in Iowa. Many will enter, few will win.
A textbook case of poor texting etiquette.
Most of us were raised better than that I think.
Not to make light of the “situation” that prompted the text, but I had to let you know your post (and artwork) cracked me up. Truly enjoyed!
Thank you, and welcome to Blurt.
I take my drawings very seriously.
Don’t forget to change their name in your contacts list from “unknown sad employee” to their real name.
I’m going to change their ring tone to a blues harmonica riff.
Awkward! My Uncle called from his iPhone a few months back. When I answered, “Hello!” he was quiet for a minute. Then he responded, “Dammit, Siri! I said call KEN!!!” Even the smartest of smart phones… Just a little anecdote that has nothing to do with your post except the cell phone.
Siri likes to screw with people. She’s done that to me too. I wonder if there is a grief sensing app? See, it did have something to do with it.
There should honestly be a required texting course for everyone over the age of 25. One of the points of this course would be to never tell someone you’ve had a death in the family over text.
You know, you’d be surprised how many people do that. I see it at work all the time. People text their family and say “I’m at Uncle Bob’s house with the police. We had to break in, he’s dead”.
If no one burst into tears, they didn’t need the time off.
Good point. I’m cancelling his funeral leave days. Big faker.
You’ve since updated your new phone with the name of the former mysterious mourner, yes? Carry on.
Actually, while he was gone, they assigned him to a different supervisor. That’s what he gets for me not transferring his number into my new phone. Serves him right.
Things happen to you, don’t they?
You know, yes.
I used to have a friend at work who pointed that out. I’d argue with her that it was just that I was observant. One day she piled a bunch of stories on me and pointed out that everyone has some things happen, but I had all of these things. She won.
But I’m observant.
Sherlock Holmes had nothing on you!
Well, except that cool hat
[...] glad you did. Here’s a link to his guide to calling in sick, and to one of my very favorites, dealing with anonymous grief. Enjoy! And come visit. I’ll know if you didn’t. Well, not really, but it’s the [...]