Is ‘I’m in a meeting’ an excuse to avoid me?
October 6, 2008 5 Comments
I am calling unions, schools, and parents today to try to find out simply what they think of the empowerment schools. Almost every person has told me that the people I want to talk to are “in a meeting.” Now, I know Monday is a popular day for meetings, but what are the odds that every person in education who I have called is in one? Can a media-savvy person speak to whether this is a frequent excuse given to (soon to not be as) bright-eyed reporters like me?
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unfortunately, it’s probably bullshit in some if not many cases. i’m not media-savvy, but i am a receptionist and my boss tells me to tell people that all the time when she just doesn’t want to talk to them.
ah, good to hear from the other end.
i wish people would think of another excuse. “he just stepped out for coffee” or “he’s at a doctor’s appointment.” “i’m at a meeting” is definitely the dog-ate-my-homework of press avoidance lines.
next time someone tells me that, i will be seriously tempted to say, “wow, seems like all of new york city’s education bureaucracy is in a meeting on monday afternoon!”
the kicker was when a lady told me, after she had answered the phone that SHE was actually in a meeting.
Hi Elaine,
I am a student journo in Wellington, NZ, and face this problem almost daily.
When they say “Oh they’re just in a meeting at the moment”, that’s when you say “Oh OK that’s fine, Ill call back in 10 minutes”, and just keep hounding them all day ;D
Eventually, they will give in. Persistence is key.
Also, try introducing yourself as a journalist, rather than a journalism student (if you are one that is), many people consider student journalists a push-over, especially media savvy people, and will tell you to bugger off even if they are well capable of answering your questions.
Good luck trying to break through the barriers.
Luke,
It’s great to hear from you. I don’t know how you found this blog from New Zealand, but I am glad you did!
I will definitely use your idea in the future, and you are right that persistence is key. I talked to a couple people today because of it!
And I too say I’m a reporter from Columbia j-school rather than a student, because I am a reporter!!
Thanks for your comment!
thanks, all ~ i learned a lot here!
(and yes, Elaine, it would be refreshing if the bull artists used another excuse. how about “he’s in the bathroom”?)