When phones first started appearing in upper-class homes in the late 1800s, people thought them incredibly rude. NO ONE was allowed to ‘just show up’ at your home. First a potential visitor would send a calling card asking to be invited over. Then the host would respond with a date and time. Then the visit.Telephones completely violated this protocol, essentially saying “Whatever you’re doing, and whoever you’re talking to, stop now. And pay attention to ME”.QV is right.
When phones first started appearing in upper-class homes in the late 1800s, people thought them incredibly rude. NO ONE was allowed to ‘just show up’ at your home. First a potential visitor would send a calling card asking to be invited over. Then the host would respond with a date and time. Then the visit.Telephones completely violated this protocol, essentially saying “Whatever you’re doing, and whoever you’re talking to, stop now. And pay attention to ME”.QV is right.