How would you like to receive difficult news?

That is bad form. And not the first time I've heard of it.

 

If I can get it in person that would be preferable. But if you want to give me a phone call then do not leave a message, let me call you back. I would also like it to be straight to the point.

 

I'm exactly this way.

And the thing that kills me most is when someone tells you they have something to tell you later and you know it's bad news. You can tell. And then you have to be all, "No, fucker, you're telling me now, because I'm not spending the rest of the goddamned day freaking myself out trying to think of what could be wrong."

 

When it's a loved one, I prefer giving the news in person, when it's possible. A phone call, when it's not. My recent experience put me in the position of delivering the news about my father to several family members. You sometimes have to do more than just announce the fact of a loved one's passing, depending on the circumstances.