possibilities

Why do people answer phones at ring's end?

Why do many people, when answering a land line, stand there waiting for it to ring once more so they can answer it at the end of a ring? Do they think that is the way you have to use a phone? Are they trying to impress the caller with the neatness of segueing immediately from a full ring into the greeting? (Do they not realise that the ringing and the ringback are not generally in phase?)

I'd like to understand. I've wondered for years. It particularly annoys me when I see employees behaving this way when taking calls from customers. It seems to me a waste of time all around.

Plain phrasing to replace sarcasm

Several years ago I decided not to speak sarcastically. At the time it was because I thought sarcasm is often hurtful and not worth it. In recent years my thinking has shifted more to that communication is hard enough even when all parties try to say just what they mean, let alone other than what they mean. Even so, the hurtfulness alone of sarcasm is enough to pass on it.

Sarcasm is yet a chief mode of expression in our culture, and I haven't excised it completely from my speech. Just now it occurred to me to wonder whether complete excision would be possible, and I've decided to try.

I'm going to try to suppress every sarcastic utterance, decide whether the underlying thought is worthy of expression, and then if so state it phrased plainly. Wish me luck! (Join me?)