Dear business traveler, please stay in the moment

The Pause that refreshes

The Batmobile of Batman & Robin.

The Batmobile of Batman & Robin. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

No matter how important your job is, there are some lines that just shouldn’t be crossed.  Even if you are an uber road warrior, you need to take a pause every now and then.

Even Batman has to step out from behind the cowl every now and then for a biology break.   Yes Virginia, it’s true, even super-heroes go poop.   I’m pretty sure Batman wouldn’t poop in the Batmobile though.

Note: this is not your office

 

Stay in the moment

Taking a cue from world famous business traveler and story teller Mark Stelzner and his ongoing  tales of bad airport behavior, I had to write about an experience I had while passing through JFK airport on my way to Amsterdam.   I’m sorry that the setting has to be in in an airport bathroom, but it is.

While minding my own business in the facilities, I had the unfortunate opportunity to overheard an HR exec take a phone call from a candidate while he was seated in a stall.   After greeting the caller, he explained that he was traveling, but that he would definitely get back to him with a final offer as soon as he was back in the office. He talked for a moment and closed the call with … “No, no – now isn’t an inconvenient time at all…I told you to call me at 2 pm.   It’s  fine.”  Then he flushed the toilet before ending the call.

I can’t even imagine how uncomfortable the candidate must have felt at that moment.  I wanted tgo punch the idiot HR guy in the face on behalf of thr candidate.  I was embarrassed for our entire profession.

Please people, don’t cross that line.  That’s what voice mail is for, but just in case  you are tempted – here are the rules.

Rules for dealing with candidates via cell phone

  1.  Enter bathroom
  2. Leave cell phone in pocket or briefcase
  3. Take your potty break as necessary
  4. Wash hands
  5. Check your voice mail after leaving bathroom
  6. Call your candidate back
Enhanced by ZemantaThat’s right Batman. Do this and you won’t look like a joker.

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