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11/20/2008

Waiting for Goodbye

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This (non qualifying) post for my Cell Phone Users and Abusers contest has to do with conversation etiquette.

The issue – when is a conversation over? Have you ever had a conversation with someone who is impossible to get off the phone? Someone who will continue to find something to say long after the topic has been exhausted? Someone who responds to every “good bye” with an “oh just one more thing …”? Someone who never picks up the hint that the conversation is OVER?
______________________

WAITING FOR GOODBYE

An existential cell phone drama in one act, by Brad Shorr

ESTRAGON: It’s been fabulous catching up with you on the weather …

VLADIMIR: Agreed! Have you noticed the dew point has risen every day this week?

ESTRAGON: I really must leave for the funeral. It’s my father-in-law, you know.

VLADIMIR: Have you brought in your patio furniture yet? They say it might snow Saturday.

ESTRAGON: Good God! Can we cut this short? A meteor just hit the garage.

VLADIMIR: I brought in my patio furniture last night. The dew point will fall if it snows.
____________________________________________________________________

These situations give me extreme heartburn. And yet it doesn’t end with phone conversations.

  • What about email exchanges when both parties seem hell bent on having the last word? Such exchanges can go on for weeks.
  • What about blog comments? Do you, as a blog author, feel compelled to respond to every commenter’s comment? What if the commenter has the same compulsion? When is a blog post conversation over?

I guess I’m from the short and sweet school of digital conversation. How about you? Can you chat on for hours, or do you like to keep it brief?

You start a conversation you can’t even finish it.
You’re talkin’ a lot, but you’re not sayin’ anything.
When I have nothing to say, my lips are sealed.
Say something once, why say it again? (Talking Heads, Psycho Killer)

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123 Responses to Waiting for Goodbye

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  1. Amy Derby

    Brad… maybe you’re right. But I’m not THAT focused yet. ;-)

    Amy Derbys last blog post..Happy Birthday to Maximum Customer Experience Blog

    Reply
  2. Brad Shorr

    Ya hoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! My lifelong dream has become a reality. A 100 comment post on this modest blog. If this can be true, anything can happen. Robert, you are #100. I have to think of a fitting way to honor you. Any suggestions?

    Thanks everybody for chipping in.

    Brad Shorrs last blog post..What Are You Thankful For?

    Reply
  3. Joanna Young

    Hey Brad, that’s great! And how fitting that Robert should be #100 :-)

    This has been a wonderful project to take part in, I’ve really enjoyed the conversation this weekend.

    I’ll let you get off the phone now…

    Joanna Youngs last blog post..Mobile Phone Noise: I’m On the Train!!!

    Reply
  4. Robert Hruzek

    Well… I’m still waitin’ for that million dollars. Other than that, it was just fun to help make your boyhood dream come true, Bubba!

    And, of course, a big ol’ hat tip to you and all the gang who helped make it possible!

    Robert Hruzeks last blog post..Why I Hate Cell Phones

    Reply
  5. Tumblemoose

    Conflagrations, um I mean constellations! Damn, that’s not right. Consternations! No, uhh Congregations!

    Aww, Heck. good job! ;-)

    Cheers!

    George

    Tumblemooses last blog post..10 “Must Have” books for writers

    Reply
  6. Cath Lawson

    Hi Brad – sorry, I made a typo. I meant – when people ask me several questions in one email -it gets too much for me.

    Cath Lawsons last blog post..Does Your Business Really Understand People?

    Reply

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  8. Brad Shorr

    Cath, I knew what you meant. Vexing!

    Hi all, just published a little link love post to say thanks. :)

    Brad Shorrs last blog post..A Dream Comes True – the 100 Comment Post

    Reply
  9. Lukeither

    Hey, are you talking about me behind my back!? OK, I’ve allegedly been accused of such an act. LOL.

    Insightful article.

    Reply
  10. Karen Swim

    Yippee!!! ♕ You are the King of Bloggers! I’m throwing virtual confetti. I’m so excited and think it’s totally fitting that Robert was #100! I am going to have cake to celebrate, okay well not cake but a vita muffin congratulations Brad!

    Karen Swims last blog post..5 Great Blogs You May Not Be Reading

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  12. Ellen Weber

    Brad, you’ve started a great discussion here and it dove tails into the research just out on the concerns between cell phones and brain cancer. Wanted to give you a link but assure you that the post is not an entry into contest and not competing. It’s not even on topic exactly — just related. All to say, when you see the link, please don’t add it into the contestant mix. Thanks though for an engaging exchange on a cool topic!!!!

    Ellen Webers last blog post..Do Cell Phones Harm Brains?

    Reply
  13. Luke Gedeon

    Aw man, I missed it. I was gone all day on the big day. Maybe I will be around when this thing hits 200.

    Congrats Brad!

    Of course, Hruzek was the 100th. We all knew he would be. :)

    Ulla, and anyone else considering upgrading to the newest version of wordpress or moving from .com to .org stop by http://luke.gedeon.name/how-can-we-make-wordpress-better-what-features-would-you-like.html and let’s talk about it.

    Whether you are looking for an answer to a specific question or just looking for someone to do it for you, I would love to help in exchange for a shout out, donation, or free. I just hate to see people stuck with something they do not like when it would be easy for me to help.

    Reply
  14. Brad Shorr

    Ellen, just read your article – sobering. Thanks for the link.

    Luke, What a generous offer. But we already knew how generous you are from your support of this post.

    Karen, You are such a party girl. Nothing says celebration like a vita muffin. :)

    Lukeither, Behind-the-back talkers? Wow, that topic could take us to 500 comments. Thanks for visiting Word Sell!

    Brad Shorrs last blog post..A Dream Comes True – the 100 Comment Post

    Reply
  15. Luke Gedeon

    I am not sure if we are going to hit 500 on this post since it appears that the conversation has moved over to the Dream Comes True post.

    I guess I will have to carry the behind-the-back conversation to the next room for you. Since it looks like I am talking behind everyone’s back right now. Or, maybe I am just talking to myself. :)

    Luke Gedeons last blog post..The Machine is just a machine again

    Reply

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  22. jan geronimo

    I need to be a part of a milestone of sorts in your blog so I have to put in a comment.

    Well, I don’t mind the long goodbye in my blog. I still can afford to humor some readers who do that to me. It’s better than throwing your hands in the air and cursing under your breath, “Where are my darn readers!”

    I have to admit though that emails that go on and on are exasperating. “,)

    jan geronimos last blog post..A Tale of Three Cracked Ribs and One Little Rascal

    Reply
  23. Brad Shorr

    Hi Jan, Thanks for joining the strange party that is this blog post, that suddenly took on a life of its own. Like you, I don’t necessarily mind long commentary in email or blog comments or blog posts … it’s the conversation that persists beyond the end that sometimes rankles. This post doesn’t seem to want to end, much like the play on which the post was based. :)

    Brad Shorrs last blog post..Book Review – World Wide Rave, by David Meerman Scott

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