One Person’s “Critical” Versus Another’s

I notified a client three times that I would be away for the week following my wife’s surgery, beginning two months prior to the surgery, and one last time the week before. Each time, he sounded surprised but just as concerned about her health.

Imagine my surprise on the morning of the second day of my wife’s convalescence.

Client: “Are you there? My contact’s really anxious to get their site moving. Can you get started on provisioning the server?”

Me: “No. I’m not available for at least five more days.”

Client: “What? This is critical for me!”

Me: “My wife’s on Vicodin, and the baby’s teething.”

Client: “So, by tonight, at least?”

Client: “Hello?”