Do you practice good 'friendship manners'? To you have the tendency to keep putting off calling a friend back after they've called you? Well one reader is on the receiving end of what could possible be very bad 'friendship manners'. She asked me for my advice. Read on and let me know what you think.
Dear Elaine,
I am in a new friendship. What is the best way to handle a friend that doesn't return calls for weeks? I'm assuming there's a nice way to speak up about this. What can I do? Thank you so much.
B
Dear B,
In this instance your new friend is showing you exactly how they operate when it comes to returning phone calls. They will most likely not change this behavior until they are met with some drastic reason or motivation to do so. There are no proper or kind words you can share to get this person to 'change'.
Therefore, my advice to you is to 'change' the way YOU deal with THEM. If you call them and need a reply about a matter, call back again to follow up and ask for a response. Be sure you warmly let them know with the first call that it is time sensitive. You may try using another method. Perhaps your friend responds quicker to email or text. You see, if it is something in particular you want, the end goal is to just get what you want. The manner in which you get there is what might have to shift.
Now if you are calling this new friend to say hello and check on their well-being and you don't hear from them for weeks on end. You might want to do a bit of friendship inventory to see if this is the best fit for you.
Elaine
If you have a question you would like for me to answer I welcome you to submit it HERE. I don't post all of the questions I receive but do be on the lookout. Yours just might show up! Hey the good thing it it could really help someone else!