Mr. Browning wondered if I would be interested in joining Dr. Haltzman and a few others for the Friday, August 15th broadcast, when the secrets of the happily married woman will be discussed. I expressed my interest in doing so and was contacted by the program’s producer, Nicole Puleo, a few minutes later. Ms. Puleo was also interested in my participation and said she’d call later in the day to follow up.
No such call came.
I safely assume my participation is no longer desired since even the hastiest flight would not accommodate a ready guest for Friday’s broadcast. I am reminded of something Bette Davis said when told by Johnny Carson that some celebrities confirmed their appearances on his program and then didn’t show - and didn’t notify anyone that they weren’t going to show. With scathing sarcasm, Ms. Davis said of these celebrities, “Charming.”
While disappointed that I won’t be appearing with Mike and Juliet to discuss the social curiosity of stay-at-home wives, it is more troublesome that I went without a courtesy call from Ms. Puleo or Mr. Browning. Many people would have to move a few things around to accommodate a last minute activity, but as I told the program’s representatives, I was happy to do so even though we are in the final stretch of an international household move.
I fear to think of the kind of personal or professional tragedy that might have befallen Ms. Puleo or Mr. Browning, prevented them from making the least gesture, but I would offer my sincerest sympathies were I to learn of it.
On the off chance I’m mistaken, and the lack of follow up was merely a gross oversight, then perhaps The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet will next feature the kind of boorish and ill-mannered behaviors described in Why We Hate Us - using themselves as the featured for-instance.
Article comments
1 - Lisa Solod Warren
Ah, yes...... and see my piece on The Painful Art of Blogging..... which details how it is even easier to be mannerless over the internet. I have long decried our basic lack of manners; for years parents would not RSVP to invitations I sent for my children's birthday parties. I would have to phone them to see if the child was attending. Bizarre. But I presume that people are just not well brought up any longer. So who is to blame?
2 - Diana Hartman
So who is to blame?
As children, one's parents/guardians are to blame. Adults are to blame for their own social ineptness as they have the ability to choose between courtesy and chaos, as well as do their research into the difference.
I spare any young adult who is willing to make the minor changes necessary when such is pointed out to them (in a civilized manner, of course).
3 - Joanne Huspek
My dear. If you could only answer the phone at my place of business for two hours, you'd see that no one knows how to make a phone call. Yes, I blame parents, and then I blame THEIR parents for not instructing THEM.
4 - klondikekitty
Rudeness and self-centeredness appear to be the norm nowadays, and I myself have been subject to any number of instances where supposedly very good friends had agreed to assist me in some task, such as moving or providing me with transportation, only to discover they did not appear as promised and did not have the courtesy to pick up the phone and call me to explain why they would be unable to help me -- uhhh, let's see, how long would that take? Two minutes, tops?
I was raised in a small community in northwestern Wisconsin during the 1960s, where people were EXPECTED to send written thank-you notes for gifts or other similar generous gestures; return RSVPs for wedding, anniversary or birthday parties; and promises extended to help with moving, volunteer work and other chores were ALWAYS kept, except in the case of dire emergencies, in which case a phone call was always dispatched to explain the reason for their absence. Generic thank-you notes which merely said, "thank you for your gift, it is greatly appreciated," were considered the lazy person's way out, and folks who brought unbuttered buns to a church picnic were regarded as cheap or lazy or both!
Although I have spent a considerable amount of time trying to instill such values in my own children, now 21 and 23, they have chosen to go the way of the rest of the world -- They show up unannounced at my apartment at all hours of the day and night, without regard to my personal plans, or do not appear at all as requested on specific occasions for family gatherings or my own requests for their presence. They do not call to let me know if they are planning or not planning to attend, and often promise to appear, but never arrive.
Miss Manners must be turning over in her grave!!