Disconnecting Completely While On Vacation?

vonsneerderhooten asks: "This summer, I took a week-long vacation, left my cell phone at home and enjoyed the liberation of being completely disconnected from the (working) world. Recently, I came upon an article stating that many people don't take vacations longer than a long weekend. Worse still, a majority are worrying about work, calling the office and checking e-mail. How far removed are you when on vacation? To what lengths will you go to make yourself (un)available?"

Comments

Use voicemail to screen people

[plover]

Lately I've been leaving a message like this on my voicemail:

Hi, this is John. I'll be out of the office until <date>. If you need to get in touch with me before then, please reconsider your options.

But my all-time favorite was the one I recorded before leaving on a family trip. "Hi. I'm on vacation for three weeks until <date>. If you need to get hold of me, please dial Scotland and ask for John."

I'd fake my death

[wonkavader]

...if I thought that would stop them from calling.

But it wouldn't.

What I do.

[grub]

A few weeks at the Betty Ford Clinic is a great way to disconnect.

Posted by AC, but a good one nonetheless

[Anonymous Coward]

Went on a 3&1/2 week trip to the other side of the world last year.
Left the laptop at home
Brought my cell phone (Razr V3, quad band, all that good stuff)

Let the office know that if they wanted to reach me it'd be between the hours of 12pm (noon) and 6pm Manila time (12am midnight to 6am eastern), that I would be charging my recall overtime rate (hourly * 3), any time I was working would not be considered "time off" (saving vacation hours) and they would be paying my cell phone bill for that month ($3.98/min for calls while I was in the Philippines) - I ended up fixing 1 problem while I was out, and everything worked out just dandy. Just imagine having your boss waiting until after midnight local time to call you and pay an exorbitant fee to fix something from halfway around the world)

I just might go back again this year.

E

It doesn't take much

[Bullfish]

All it takes is a commitment to disconnect and to stick to it. I go to a cabin on a lake about 4 hours out of town. I go on weekends, and regularly take two two week vacations. I have electricity and plumbing there, but no net connection or cell service. The phone number there, I only give to family for emergencies.

When I go there, I finish my work before I go, and leave it at work. As far as work is concerned, there is no phone there. I ain't telling. As well, when they ask how they can get a hold of me, I give them directions that will take them to the lake shore with instructions to bring a boat.

That does the job.

I would reply, but...

[fractalrock]

I would love to reply to your post, but I'm on vacation right now (disconnected completely).

Re:Weekends aren't vacations.

[IcyHando'Death]

Life is way too short to focus only on working and buying a bigger house and a bigger car and a bigger TV or video game system

With you right up until there ...

WTF?

[Lord Kano]

My idea of vacation is someplace where I can go to "connect".

LK

Re:Try no TV or Internet

[antifoidulus]

Dude, you basically described the plot to "The Shining"....