Who outranks who on the everyday phone call depth chart?
If you’re talking to your best friend but your accountant calls, oops, sorry about that, but that’s a call you gotta take — call the other guy back.
Especially this time of year, right? But now, your lawyer calls while the accountant is still on the line. Oops, you’ve called him five times to get this call back, you hafta take it.
Call back the CPA, do you mind, sorry?
But if you’re expecting test results and the doctor calls, OMG, “could I possibly call you back?” you sheepishly ask, knowing the lawyer is thinking, “sure, that’s a call I’m going to rush to take.”
Your mother-in-law calls just as you get the accountant back on the line, but, sorry, she doesn’t outrank the CPA, so you ignore it for later. Then your cell rings across the room. Same number, same response.
You can’t be tricked or distracted: You have real phone business to accomplish — no time for chat-chat. “So, what do we owe the IRS?” you dare to ask, undeterred.
Who else ranks high on the list? Sometimes, your kids move way up the chart, especially if there’s a chance they might be bringing the grandchildren for a visit. The vet is high if it’s an in-paddock, in-person visit; not so high if it’s just a quick phone question or a reminder from his office. A Gloucester city…
