it's a two-way street...really...

For the most part, I would say I'm not a self-centered person. Sure I have moments like just about eveyone else where I think the world should revolve around me. The harsh reality is that is doesn't, but one should be allowed a little undivided attention now and then.

And thus comes the rant that will be this post....

I had some spare time at work so I returned a phone call to a friend with whom I'd been playing phone tag. Greetings and saluations were made, as were a brief synopsis of our Thanksgiving holidays. All fine and good. This friend tells me about the health scare her sister had (in greater detail than I really wanted), but in the end, it ended up being something minor. Again, no problem. Then I start to tell her about my sister-in-law's knee issue and how I hope it's not serious; she takes this opportunity not only to check her work e-mail, but proceeds to talk about it while I'm in the middle of my story. Ugh.

I understand that we're all busy as I too have checked work e-mails (or multi-tasked in various ways) while chatting on the phone with friends. It's the way our society has gone. If someone has come into my office or I receive an e-mail that requires immediate attention, I'd like to think I use common courtesy and say "Hey, I gotta go. Someone's in my office (or I have to take care of something now). Call you later."

Other friends have done this, especially my sister-friend with kids. Inevitably, one kid will want something or one will start beating up the other. In instances like this, I would hope one would give attention to that situation. Thus, I am not offended at all, especially since she's nice about it. Things happen. It's called life.

But not this friend of whom I speak. She proceeded to tell me about the e-mail, how she was going to response and how it would affect the rest of her day. Keep in mind, I never got the opportunity to finish my sister-in-law story - or tell her about anything else for that matter. If she had said, "Bec, I have to respond to this ASAP. I'll call you back.", I would have no problem with that, as I have done that to her before.

Not only is the apparent lack of common courtesy evident, I'm unsure if she is oblivious to it or if she just doesn't care about what is going on outside her world (I'd like to think it's the former). I don't get to talk to or see her often, as our schedules haven't meshed well, but it's not for lack of effort on my end. Therefore, phone convos have been the main line no pun intended) of communication. And honestly, it appears that this mode is no longer effective either.

As we all know, communication (amongst other things) in relationships are a two-way street. I'll be honest; I haven't made the effort to call this friend. Maybe it's because I have a need for attention at that point (oops, self-centered moment) and a chat with a friend fulfills that need.Perhaps it's because I enjoy talking with someone rather that have them only want to talk about themselves. Or it could that we're at different points in our lives and it's reflected in our communication (or lack thereof).

The question is: where do I go from here?