Question: It often happens that I hear someone ringing my doorbell while I am in the middle of a telephone conversation. While I am hesitant to interrupt my telephone talk by going to the door, I do appreciate the anxiety of the person at the door who is ringing. What is the right thing to do?

Answer: Your sensitivity towards the feelings of others is to be complimented. In regard to the question of priorities which you propose, the determination must be made as to who will suffer most from your action. Let us draw a comparison between the discomfort caused to your telephone partner who is asked to hold on for a minute and that of a person at the door who receives no response to his ringing:

1. The person on the phone is aware that you are on the line and will be resuming the discussion once you answer at the door. The person at the door has no indication of whether you are at home and suffers some anxious moments until you finally show.
2. The investment of effort to reach you by the phone caller was no more than pressing a few buttons, while the person at the door made a considerable effort to come to your home.

The conclusion is that you should ask the party on the phone to hold on while you see who is at your door.

© 1995-2024 Ohr Somayach International - All rights reserved.

Articles may be distributed to another person intact without prior permission. We also encourage you to include this material in other publications, such as synagogue or school newsletters. Hardcopy or electronic. However, we ask that you contact us beforehand for permission in advance at [email protected] and credit for the source as Ohr Somayach Institutions www.ohr.edu