64 replies to this topic

[scotchblade]

I had the opportunity to caddie yesterday during media day the the Olympic Club.  In the group I was assigned to was a father and son, who had never played the course, nor had they experienced the epic burger dogs, which are almost as famous as the course itself.

It made me think of memorable times with my dearly departed dad and I was glad to be a part of what would be a very special day for both of them.

Four holes into the round, I see the son on the cell phone and shortly after, he tells me this would be his last hole, that he was called to the office to finish a deadline, even though he had arranged for the day off last week.

I felt really bad for the kid, but he hardly seemed fazed at all.  It was as if he had accepted his fate that this is what is expected of today's working generation.  If that's the way it is, what a sad situation we have on our hands.

I thank my lucky stars that I spent most of my working life in an era when you were not on call.  When you were off, you were off.  Being unavailable is a luxury few seem to enjoy anymore.  Hopefully one of these days people will wake up and see that.

By the way, the course is going to play tough!

[attachment=1145072:IMG_0918.JPG]

Edited by scotchblade, 01 May 2012 - 04:01 PM.

[Hacker#5252]

I have to say I agree.

Although, maybe he wouldn't even have been able to take the day "off" if it wasn't for his phone. He might have had to go to the office, with the off-chance that they wouldn't have needed him.

Then again, before phones we had pagers.

[kekoa]

If I was in his position, I would be out of a job for sure.

[JLTD63]

In a way, I agree.  I also agree in a way with Hacker#5252's point as well though.

Sometimes being "on call" seemingly all the time drives me crazy, no question.  But on the other hand, having access to the technology we do today can sometimes allow for a kind of a mobile office, which in turn can allow work to be done outside of and away from your actual desk.

Double-edged sword for sure!

[scotchblade]

Hacker#5252, on 01 May 2012 - 03:51 PM, said:

Then again, before phones we had pagers.

I'm pre-pagers.  Answering machines were just getting off the ground.  And I'm not THAT old!

Blind tee shot on #4.

[attachment=1145068:IMG_0922.JPG]

[78blades]

I also agree and have taken early retirement b/c I couldn't take the attitude in the work place environment anymore. They all seem to be married to technology and their only reality is work; very sad.

[FLOGMR]

I can't believe Olympic Club allows cell phones on the course....that IS sad!!! What ever happened to common courtesy?? Just turn the blasted thing off?
I don't even play with my son-in-law anymore because he is glued to his phone all during the round.....NO MORE !!!

[CowtownTexas]

It's a double-edged sword.

On one hand, I hate that I can never truly "get away" from my office.  Even on vacation, I spend several hours per day answering emails.  People expect an immedite response and that can get very annoying.  I spent pretty much every lift-ride of a recent family ski trip answering work emails or listening to voicemail, occasionally taking a run off to stand on the top of the mountain to return a call.

However, being constantly connected also allows me to be out of the office a great deal.  I can "work" from just about anywhere and "anywhere" can often be a round of golf or out checking things at my ranch.  I'd probably play half the amount of golf that I currently do if I didn't have my blackberry in the cart with me.

I will say my favorite recent vacations have been out to a friends ranch where you truly can't get any cell service without driving about 10 miles away.  That's the only time I feel truly "disconnected" and feel like I can justify it.

[minitour]

My co-worker is always telling me to keep my phone on when I'm off.  I keep reminding him that "off" means "off".  Not "maybe off but if we need you we'll call you".  If I could get rid of my phone (I use too many apps for work), I would in a second.  A second!

Part of the reason I enjoy cruises so much is the separation.  I can be reached, but only at ridiculous rates...and since I'm not willing to pay them, I can't be reached.  That and the food makes it a win-win...win.

Edited by minitour, 01 May 2012 - 04:23 PM.

[DLiver]

I love having my smartphone with me. It is much easier to relax when I have it, because I know there are no problems with any loved ones, no emergencies at work, etc etc. I keep it in my bag (on silent) on the course. If something is going on in my life at the time, I may check it every 4 or 5 holes. If nothing is pressing, I will check it once. Overall it is a BIG plus for me.

[78blades]

Reading some of the threads makes me wonder how we were ever able to make it to this point in human history! Being from the 50's & 60's and coming to age in the 70's it is sadly comical to see what we have become. Success seems to be much more about how much money you make rather than self improvement, kindness/compassion, integrity or accountability. Have we become what our parents warned us about, self indulged, ego concentric twits?

[Mr. Herbert]

78blades, on 01 May 2012 - 04:54 PM, said:

Reading some of the threads makes me wonder how we were ever able to make it to this point in human history! Being from the 50's & 60's and coming to age in the 70's it is sadly comical to see what we have become. Success seems to be much more about how much money you make rather than self improvement, kindness/compassion, integrity or accountability. Have we become what our parents warned us about, self indulged, ego concentric twits?

Hippie!

[mandudebro]

FLOGMR, on 01 May 2012 - 04:07 PM, said:

I can't believe Olympic Club allows cell phones on the course....that IS sad!!! What ever happened to common courtesy?? Just turn the blasted thing off?

Actually, they don't.

[qrispy2]

Not bashing, but the idea that you need to be in touch every minute with your family or work is lost on me.
I am 43, grew up just fine without my mom and dad talking 5 times a day to check in or see if everything is okay.
When we went on vacation even for a month my dad did not need to call work, he was off and that was it.
If an emergency came up it was handled by the parent on watch and that was it.
The other parent was notified as soon as was possible.
I have followed on with this ideal, no phones on vacation or the course.

"may the lie be with you"

[SpinMill75]

As a business owner, I always have my phone with me...even in my golf bag.  However, you have to set some limits on the work/personal time balance.  Business hours and jobs are scheduled and so is personal time for things life golf and family....What a crazy notion huh?

[spike1212]

Whats a burger dog? and can you post a pic?

[kellygreen]

scotchblade, on 01 May 2012 - 03:47 PM, said:

I had the opportunity to caddie yesterday during media day the the Olympic Club.  In the group I was assigned to was a father and son, who had never played the course, nor had they experienced the epic burger dogs, which are almost as famous as the course itself.

It made me think of memorable times with my dearly departed dad and I was glad to be a part of what would be a very special day for both of them.

Four holes into the round, I see the son on the cell phone and shortly after, he tells me this would be his last hole, that he was called to the office to finish a deadline, even though he had arranged for the day off last week.

I felt really bad for the kid, but he hardly seemed fazed at all.  It was as if he had accepted his fate that this is what is expected of today's working generation.  If that's the way it is, what a sad situation we have on our hands.

I thank my lucky stars that I spent most of my working life in an era when you were not on call.  When you were off, you were off.  Being unavailable is a luxury few seem to enjoy anymore.  Hopefully one of these days people will wake up and see that.

By the way, the course is going to play tough!

IMG_0918.JPG

As much as I despise cell phones....the problem I see here is a workaholic dad.

Especially given the "non-reaction" from the son (that spoke volumes) despite it being very special occaison.   This is not the first time this kid has had a family outing torpedoed by calls from work.  

If this were simply a matter of being "on-call", Dad would have made the effort to find someone to cover for him.  

The sad thing, is that I've yet to have met the guy who wished he'd spent more time at the office, when he found himself on his deathbed.

[umaynome]

I agree that it's a shame to...
My cell phone is ringing. Hold on, I'll be right back.

[Johnny]

spike1212, on 01 May 2012 - 05:09 PM, said:

Whats a burger dog? and can you post a pic?

it's just as you imagine.. and delicious.

[RooneyTunes]

I'm smack dab in the middle of the work generation. But when I'm off, I'm off. ESPECIALLY if I am golfing (or doing anything for that matter) with my dad, I just make my co workers aware ahead of time that I will be unreachable on this day. Works out pretty well for me! By the way as a 20-something I'm also not much of a text-er which I guess makes me the minority.

[Medic]

I don't advocate taking or making calls on the course. But I definitely recommend that at least one member of each group have a phone handy "just in case".

I cannot count the number of life threatening situations I have personally responded to at golf courses and things turn out better in general when help gets there faster. One case that really sticks out was a 55 year old in cardiac arrest on the back 9 of this course in town - they were as far away from the clubhouse as they could be. Noone had a cell phone at the time - this was before they were "affordable". This course was known for its pristine nature and no houses were around. The group split up - one cart going for help and the other started CPR.

By the time we arrived and were able to get all the way out there to him, it was well into the situation. And he was "flatline". I cannot say that a phone in the group would have made any difference. But nor can I say with certainty that it would not have.

So...

I fully agree that phones need to be off when you are on the course. But it is still, in my opinion and based on experience, worthwhile having one close by. Better to have it there and not need it than to have (or witness) an emergency and not be able to rapidly summon assistance.

Just a different take on cell phones on the course.

[Thrillhouse]

I hear ya scotchblade, and thanks for the awesome olympic club pics! But I have a feeling that if the kid was unfazed there is a good chance that he is the kind of person who will get to play there again.

If it was me? Yeah, I would have quit the job and finished the round

[Spooky67]

Just cut the phone off now and then....service isn't 100% and no one could prove that you had service available and your phone was off...work life balance if you know what I mean.

Some guys choose to be available 100% of the time.  Life is full of choices.

[D Rail]

i always have my phone on me but rarely check/answer it if im golfing. I am in my 20s and i remember life before cellphones and i think to myself everyone seemed to get along fine without them but will admit mine is always on me.

[eric_b]

I agree that it's a double edge sword....however, I think the 2 edges are 1 - work expected you to be connected all the time and 2 - people WANT to be connected all the time....

I can't count how many times i've come across "crazy busy" people in my career.....most people i come across take their jobs WAY too seriously.....you know what'll happen if they don't take that call or come in the office on their day off....probably nothing.....but heaven forbid they admit that to themselves.....sure, there are some cases where you do need to be there.....but in my experience.....80-90% of the time, it's just self-importance.....

[Man In The Miura]

Don't call me, I'll call you.

[FLOGMR]

eric_b, on 02 May 2012 - 09:00 AM, said:

I agree that it's a double edge sword....however, I think the 2 edges are 1 - work expected you to be connected all the time and 2 - people WANT to be connected all the time....

I can't count how many times i've come across "crazy busy" people in my career.....most people i come across take their jobs WAY too seriously.....you know what'll happen if they don't take that call or come in the office on their day off....probably nothing.....but heaven forbid they admit that to themselves.....sure, there are some cases where you do need to be there.....but in my experience.....80-90% of the time, it's just self-importance.....

Absolutely spot on...........if you don't have a cell phone to your ear or in your hand .........How is anyone gong to know how important you are? Cell phones have become the "Baby soother" of this generation and, I fear, the generations to come next.
The OP describes a situation where a young man plays golf on a course where cell phones are prohibited.... but he is too important to abide by that rule and then bales out on the event, on his father, and the rest of his group because he can't stand to be "UNPLUGGED" for a few hours.
Yes...I have a cell phone and it is OFF during all golf games, family gatherings etc etc....I use it to contact people when there is no land line available and to answer calls during my business day...and I screen all of those.
I guess I am not that important

Oh yeah...to the guy who is in his 20's and remembers life before cell phones....NO you don't...cell phones were around before you were born........they became commercially available in America in 1983.

OK that is my rant...everybody carry on Tweeting, Facebooking, texting and chatting.......regardless of the rules of the place you may be at the moment.

Edited by FLOGMR, 02 May 2012 - 10:24 AM.

[Slapjax7s]

I average about 2400 texts per month between business and pleasure on my iPhone. Cell phones unfortunately are whats in and will be for the next few years. As tough as it is in this economy sometimes ya have to be on it 24/7. So many people come into my business (Tire & Auto Center) have their iPhones out with prices from an online source even before we start talking. It's just the way of life for most.

or you could be like my 56 year old parents who carry the cell and only turn it on to make calls....whats the point?  

[Veng]

I have a cell phone and it has the most amazing feature ever.  And it seems, at least as far as I can tell, to have a feature that no one else's cell phone has.  You see, most cell phones have caller ID these days, but mine also doesn't make me answer the call if I don't want to.

Furthermore, I'll never work where 50 or 60 hours is expected, nor will I have a laptop to do work from home.  I work to live, I don't live to work.  To many people need to grow some balls and learn to put their boss in their place.  It's fine to have the occasional overtime, and even a crunch week.  But when overtime is the norm, and crunch weeks are every week, something is very wrong.

[Par Fore]

I work in the medical field in a small hospital, I am the only anesthesia provider at the hospital, I am on call almost 24/7 when I take vacation I pay someone to cover for me.  If it were not for my phone I could rarely golf or I would have to pay someone 100+ an hour to do it.  For some of us it's not that we don't want to turn our phones off or throw them in the lake, we just can't do it.  I take a golf trip every January for three days and I love being able to turn off my phone, but I have to pay someone over 3 grand just to have that luxury.  I try to be curteous I keep it on vibrate and only respond to what may be a legitimate trip back to the hospital, but I have to have it on.  so in other words Phone= golf.... no phone= no golf.