In Chinese culture, promptness and reciprocity in communication are highly valued. Missing a call and failing to huídiàn can be perceived as dismissive or even disrespectful, especially in a professional setting. It implies that you are not prioritizing the other person's request or inquiry. This contrasts slightly with Western, particularly American, culture, where a follow-up text message after a missed call is often considered a sufficient and even preferred response. In China, while texting back is common, the act of huídiàn—actually returning the phone call—carries more weight. It demonstrates sincerity, acknowledges the other person's effort, and shows a readiness to engage in a direct conversation. It's a small but significant act that helps maintain good 关系 (guānxi), or social relationships.
Huídiàn is a versatile term used across various situations. Its meaning is almost always clear from the context.