At what time is it to "Late" to call someone?

Question

I have a bet with my wife about when is it to late to call. I said anything after 9 pm is to late to be calling unless it is family or emergency but 9 is my cut off. She thinks 10 pm is ok. Excluding friends and family, what time is socially acceptable for calling until?

Answer 1

Harey,

This has always been an issue
with me.
I'm in total agreement with you:
9:00PM or 21:00hrs is the cut off time
for any calls unless it is family or an
emergency. Even with family, we
try to keep it before nine, so that when
it rings after nine, you miss a heart beat
and hope for the best....

Niner!

Answer 2

I have always thought that after 10:00 pm is too late; however, for many people after 9:00 pm is too late, as they are winding down for the evening and wouldn't want to be disturbed. I think if that if you want to call after 9 pm, that you should be courteous and ask if it's alright to have a short conversation, and go from there. In any case, don't make it a long, chatty conversation, unless the other person is ok with it!

Answer 3

It depends on a few things:
1. The nature of the call (like your emergency example)
2. Your relationship with the person you're calling
3. What you know about this person's bedtime/sleeping habits

People call me late, becuase they know I'm up late. However, if you're calling someone who goes to work at 7or 8 in the morning, I agree with your 9 pm. Especially for people with families -- at around 8 or so, they are finishing up the dinner dishes or homework, or even getting things prepared for the next day, putting kids to bed, etc. They have a very small window of opportunity to be left alone, so to speak, and if you're calling after 9 pm, it's sort of intrusive.

Answer 4

I think after 9:30 pm is to late because most people have to get up and go to work or school in the morning

Answer 5

I've found that most of the day shift workers I know what the 10pm news, and go to bed. I try to call them in the day, and leave a message, to call me. I do not like to disturb people's eves. It is a time for the family to relax, and be together. When the prime time TV shows come on, I am done with the phone calls to them. If it's something that's come up, and they need to know soon, I'll call up until 10pm. For a real emergency, anytime.
I work eves, and I sleep late into the morning, and everyone knows this, but they call anyway, and wake me up. One "friend "even told me I shouldn't sleep then. Probably why I am so sensitive about when I call people. My real call me late eve, early night, when I am awake and alert.

Answer 6

9:00! You're unwinding for the night and getting ready to go to bed. My husband's brother is a night owl and calls sometimes at 10:00 or later. It drives me nuts, so I now turn the phones off after 9:00. My husband is OK with this. We both agree if it's really important the machine can get it!

Answer 7

I would agree with you, 9:00pm. However, if that someone's home has young kids or elderly, I would move that up to 8-8:30 pm since you don't want to wake up the youngest and the oldest.

Answer 8

I think you are right. Nine pm should be the general rule. Occasionally I have been known to call later if I know the person is a night owl.

Answer 9

9:00 pm

Answer 10

My mom always told me growing up it was rude to call after 9:00