Saying you'll call someone right back and then call a lot later on...is this rude?

One of the problems with phoning is that we have no idea what is going on at the location we are phoning. When I call people, one of the first questions I ask is, "How is my timing?". That way if they have just emerged from the shower or are in the middle of an important conversation with someone else, I am not interrupting. It gives them the out to say that they are busy but will phone back. The kicker is that other things can happen that take priority over returning a phone call. If you are a mom you know that you might plan to phone back but spend the next hour with last minute homework, telling a bedtime story, soothing a broken heart, packing lunches or taking care of a wobbly belly (stomach ache with nausea). You might mean to phone back but life happens. In your case he didn't say he'd phone back, his sister made the promise for him.

Since you were up and calling him at midnight, which is way too late, he called you when he could. The best thing is to tell whoever is taking the message, that you will be going to bed by 12:30 and not to phone after that.

I'm sorry you are so frustrated. It sounds like he has a pattern of not being as responsible as you. The phone call was probably one in a string of things that annoyed you with him. Maybe you two need to have a talk as to what each of you expects out of the friendship. Good luck.

Yes, it's rude.

Say what you mean, and mean what you say!

"Call you right back" should mean that you would expect a call back within 5 - 10 minutes at MOST.

"Call you later" means ... exactly that. Unless one or the other of you specifies just what "later" means, it's open to interpretation. Could be within the hour, could be later the same day ... or maybe tomorrow.

Yes, it does pi$$ me off when someone says "I'll call you right back" and I wait and wait for the call ...

Well, if you and your friend are fighting, the phone-tag might just be a bit of head-games ... if so, you'd be wise to take the high road and not rise to the bait. Most certainly, do not lose sleep or feel that you HAVE to answer the phone at nearly 2 AM ... that's ridiculous!

Give him a call when it's convenient for YOU ... and take his call at your convenience ... no explanation necessary if you are unavailable. Your time is as valuable as his or anyone's ... don't waste it babysitting the phone!

I tell people I'll phone them back and sometimes might do it a lot later than I probably should have, or not at all. The way I look at it, the phone does not rule my life and I'm not obligated to it. If I'm busy or have better things to do, I'll get back to you when I can or when I feel like it. If it's really important, call me back or leave a message. I'm an independent person, and like having control over when and what circumstances I talk to people. I don't think you should take it personally, a lot of people just aren't easy to get ahold of and might share similar feelings as me.

I have a best friend who says she'll email on the weekend, tomorrow, on the evening, in the afternoon, but she doesn't keep her promises. I don't mind when she emails at her convenience but it's annoying when she says that.

I guess you can tell your friend "Ok just leave a voicemail if I don't answer the phone at that time." that will motivate your friend to work on their procrastination cause they know that you won't be sitting by the phone waiting for their call.

My answer is in the mail along with the check. I will call you right back when I have nothing better to do. Find new friends or get a life.

Calm down....Waiting to call you are 1:45am is not cool. Next time turn off you ringer before you go to bed...and if you really want to get even don't call him for a few days or relay a message that you will call him back. and don't ...

if you call someone after midnight and they call back at nearly 2am, that person might naturally think you are a midnight owl and you wont mind being called at 1.45 am. thats the problem mate!

if you dont like being called back late, dont call late :)

Girl at least he called you back.

it SHOULD irk you, it is extremely rude, and not to be withstood a second time.