Why do people hang up a telephone without saying goodbye?

Question

I work in an office and get alot of phone calls daily, usally to help employees. Am I being overly sensative? I think it's very rude to just hang up without saying goodbye when your don't with the conversation.

Note: most people at least say thank you but not always.

Answer 1

In a busy working day many people have so much to do they are worried about getting the work done, reaching targets, meeting deadlines etc etc Their job and lives depend on it. Couple this with using communication systems that aren't face to face and you will find people do hang up after a "OK" or "Thanks then" or whatever their sign off signal happens to be.
It is always much better when people take extra care to make us feel better and a simple, courteous goodbye definitely does that.
The important thing though is deciding what you will do. If you choose to end phone conversations abruptly like others then that is your choice. I'm pretty sure it isn't though.
The only way anyone can change the behaviour of others, short of telling them or asking them - and how on Earth are you going
to fit that into your phone conversation? - is by setting an example. It doesn't always work but that doesn't really matter because you will have done what's right for you.

Answer 2

I know I'm super late chiming in here but I deal with it all the time in my job too and I've honestly come to the conclusion that because 'important' characters on TV shows do it that douche bags in real life have taken to doing it so they can get a sense that they're really that important. And that everything they deal with in a day is actually that important. Like how characters in a movie are phoning the president because an asteroid is about to hit earth. And then the president slams down the phone without the courtesy of a goodbye. Well Jimmy calling about that 10am mani-pedi is that important and grandiose too.

In his head.

And every second of his time is precious and valuable so he does not feel inclined to waste it on issuing you a proper goodbye. Welcome to the future of phone calls. We're here, and it sucks.

Answer 3

Just as there is a difference between your work life and your personal life, there is a difference between a work-related phone call and a personal phone call.

At work, the conversation is focused and about the business. A business call takes the place of an in-person interaction, in the hallway, for example. If the conversation took place in the hallway, it might last only a minute or so, and maybe the two people wouldn't say "Goodbye" to each other. So this probably why some people don't say goodbye on the phone at work. It's just business. It's not personal.

I think if you remember that, you may stop being disappointed or hurt over what you've been assuming is rudeness.

Answer 4

I do NOT think you are being overly sensitive, and I agree it is rude. Maybe you should hang up on them the first time they get quiet, and when they call back, tell them that since they never say goodbye you thought the conversation was over... LOL...jk. Unfortunately, I don't know much you can do to change it, but I hope it helps to know that you are not alone.
Goodbye.
P.S. Quite a few people have commented that you shouldn't be hurt; I don't get the feeling that the issue is hurt feelings as much as frustration (perhaps I am wrong). I think a 'bye' is sort of like a period at the end of a sentence. It lets me know that we are done, and I don't end up talking to dead air.

Answer 5

This can be seen as rude. My job also involves dealing with people over the phone. I work at a college and my department handles all of the maintanence. Not everyone says goodbye or thank-you, but you can't take it personally. I don't think people are actually trying to be rude, some people just don't realize they are doing it. Some people are rushing or thinking about other things. And some people just don't like to say bye. You're not being overyly sensitive but I wouldn't let it bother you too much.

Answer 6

I didn't realize it until people this guy I was dating mentioned it. He asked why I constantly hung up in his face. I mean if the conversation is obviously over why the need to say good bye.(I guess that makes it official) I don't know. But now I try to make a conscious effort to say good bye at the end of a call.

Answer 7

I feel qualified to answer this as I am one of the people that don't say goodbye.

I usually feel that the conversation ends when someone says "okay"
and automatically hang up. It is definitely not something to take personally or that is meant to be a rude gesture.

I think if the conversation as a whole was a pleasant one, you wouldn't feel irked by someone not saying goodbye. I definitely think they should at least say thank you though.

Answer 8

Rudeness

Answer 9

I think they are just in a hurry or else lazy!
As for me I often say bye for now. Or if I don't
say I end with Have A Dice Day! Most people I'm on the phone with end with: Have A Good One! I don't know what "Have A Good One!" is suppose to me? Do U?

Answer 10

Rude -yes

People are overall becoming less formal we are also gettin used to dealing with automated phones and less personal and formal means of communication like IM and email that don't typically get an official sign off.

Thats my best guess