How often do we call an old friend just to say hello?

I don’t know if it is happening only with me. Or, it happens to every one past certain age. Or it happens only with the male of the species. Or, the casual sharing of posts in a whatsapp group has obviated such a need.

A few days back, during a conversation, I told a friend that these days hardly anyone called just to say hello. They called only when they needed something. Of course this friend was one of those few exceptions.

Then I realised that I haven’t also called many old friends just to say hello. My casual ‘I-don’t-need-anything-but-called-just-to-say-hello’ calls were limited to just two old friends. So a few days back I thought of calling at least two other old friends just to say hello.

I called them and told them that I am not calling you because I have some work with you. I just called to know how you are. I just called for old time’s sake. I just called because you are a friend. I also said that I was sorry that I was calling after so many years. They disconnected the phone.

After sometime they called me back. Both had similar stories to share. Hardly any one called them just to say hello. Even their own children called them only when they needed something. Needless to say, the conversation went on for hours.

I am not going to elaborate this post. I would like my reader to this. I would like to know whether you also face the same issue or you do have lots of friends who call you regularly just to say hello.

PS: November 21 is celebrated as Hello Day to highlight ‘the importance of personal communication for preserving peace’.