# Worried about a fellow doper. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 19, 2004, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worried-about-a-fellow-doper/235261 "2004-03-19T19:14:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![misstee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/958977/32.png) [@misstee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/misstee)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2004, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worried-about-a-fellow-doper/235261/1 "2004-03-19T19:14:30Z")
So I am worried about another doper. This doper doesn’t post much, but we have been exchanging emails for a while now. Almost daily. I haven’t heard from this doper in over a week. I called the dopers home number and left a message. I haven’t gotten a call or an email back. I know where this person works. Should I call that number? Should I just wait patiently for a phone call or an email back from this doper? ---
**Author:** ![jellytoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/eb9ed0/32.png) [@jellytoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jellytoes)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2004, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worried-about-a-fellow-doper/235261/2 "2004-03-19T19:37:17Z")
It depends. Are you worried that the doper might be in trouble in some way? Do you think you will get them in trouble by calling work? If I were worried about a friend who suddenly dropped off the face of the planet, I would call the work number, myself. Just to see if the person has been there or if they are truly MIA. I normally disappear from friends and family for weeks at a time. Usually around finals. But since I also have major depressive episodes I have several friends who will contact me if they haven’t heard from me in a certain amount of time. It’s annoying, but I understand. ---
**Author:** ![misstee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/958977/32.png) [@misstee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/misstee)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2004, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worried-about-a-fellow-doper/235261/3 "2004-03-19T19:48:23Z")
Yes, I am worried that the doper may be in trouble. I had never asked before if it was ok or not to call the work number. I know some compaines have serious issues with employees getting phone calls at work. I also know that sometimes if something has happened to an employee, they can not give out information over the phone. If this doper was missing, maybe all the company could tell me is that DoperX is no longer with the company. AGHH, I am just worried. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2004, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worried-about-a-fellow-doper/235261/4 "2004-03-19T19:55:43Z")
I doubt any company would be upset that you called an employee at work out of a legitimate concern for his well-being. ---
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2004, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worried-about-a-fellow-doper/235261/5 "2004-03-19T20:35:45Z")
Call that number. Disguise your voice as the best toner cartridge recycler salesperson that you can immitate. Call up and ask for Mr. Whatzisname. At least if you get him, you know that he’s alive and kicking. ---
**Author:** ![misstee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/958977/32.png) [@misstee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/misstee)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2004, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worried-about-a-fellow-doper/235261/6 "2004-03-19T20:49:15Z")
He is alive. I just got enought nerve up to call. The doper answered the phone. I am very glad that all is well. Now I can go about posting and reading without worrying. Thanks to those who told me to call. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Casey1505](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2004, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worried-about-a-fellow-doper/235261/7 "2004-03-19T20:53:14Z")
Why not call the police in his/her area? If s/he is truly in trouble, the police should be probably involved anyway, right? Protect and serve and all that. Just explain your concerns, you are a freind, suddenly haven’t heard from him/her in a while, and would like to know if everything is OK. Good luck. ---
**Author:** ![Casey1505](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2004, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worried-about-a-fellow-doper/235261/8 "2004-03-19T20:55:20Z")
Good thing I posted late, huh? ---
**Author:** ![misstee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/958977/32.png) [@misstee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/misstee)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2004, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worried-about-a-fellow-doper/235261/9 "2004-03-19T22:05:27Z")
This is one of the many reasons I love this place. I called, and got an email. The doper thanked me for being worried. You guys offered great advice. I am glad I called. I truely hope those I love do not leave here. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2004, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worried-about-a-fellow-doper/235261/10 "2004-03-20T00:13:55Z")
I think you should call them. [looks around] [crickets chirp] Oh! Never mind. ---
**Author:** ![SiXSwordS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/49beb7/32.png) [@SiXSwordS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SiXSwordS)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2004, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worried-about-a-fellow-doper/235261/11 "2004-03-20T15:18:55Z")
Thanks guys, but I’m fine, really. Just otherwise occupied. I’m glad no one else called the cops; that one was a trip. BTW if you get a phone message from misstee, CALL HER RIGHT AWAY 😃 Thanks again misstee. ---
**Author:** ![sperfur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9adbd/32.png) [@sperfur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sperfur)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2004, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worried-about-a-fellow-doper/235261/12 "2004-03-20T16:00:39Z")
> [@SiXSwordS](#): > > BTW if you get a phone message from misstee, CALL HER RIGHT AWAY 😃 What were you doing blowing her off, anyway? Bad **SiXSwordS** , bad! 😃