Are we scared?

[areallthenamesusedup]

Sorry....this is a long one.

Am puzzled. Heard a couple of friends mentioning they never pick up mobile calls if there is no number displayed. Just seen a thread here saying something similar.

Am genuinely puzzled.

I totally get not answering such calls if your MH is better, I totally get it if you are in debt and avoiding creditors, I totally get it there a DV issues. I am not saying such people are wrong or unreasonable, just puzzled.

I asked my friends and they just shrugged their shoulders and couldn't really answer why.

In discussing with mates it led to a discussion about people not answering front doors...again, I appreciate in some areas it may be safest not to answer the door, but again my mates do not have that issue.

Genuinely interested in what is happening to us a society?

My son would rather buy a ticket using a machine rather than have to talk to someone, my daughter will queue for longer to use self check-out in case she has to talk to a supermarket till operator.

Are we all avoiding conversation/confrontation/random interactions.

FYI: I am in my 40's originally from up north so am used to talking to anyone/everyone . Now living down south.

But is this avoidance of people a thing now?

It's always been a thing for me. I'm old enough to remember pre email days and when email became A Thing, I was so happy because now I could email people and reach them immediately instead of having to speak to them all the time. I would scour bills/admin/job applications for email addresses because at first not everyone had it, in the hope that they'd be email contactable.

I don't answer phone numbers I don't know because it's usually marketing or a scam. If someone needs me they'll leave a message.

I'm not scared, sometimes it's nice to have a chat. Mostly it's awkward and I'd rather avoid it.

Currently I answer, as my kid's teacher calls with private number, we were warned beforehand.
Usually not. Unless they call a second time. Hubs is an Lgv/Van driver, so I do worry it might be smth bad.

I don't answer the phone to numbers I don't know. I also occasionally don't answer it to people I do know including family 🙈

I have social anxiety and the thought of having a phone conversation fills me with dread for a number of reasons. I am genuinely scared of talking to people I don't know over the phone or irl. I posted on MN earlier about my baby girl not being seen by health care professionals and all appointments being done over the phone. This has been a serious challenge for me and if it wasn't for it being for my daughter I wouldn't have done it if it was for myself.

Oh Eeyay28

That sounds tough for you.

And after reading a couple of other posts, am now reflecting on my own behaviour and realise now how often I email rather than pick up the phone.

I find it tiring, talking on the phone. I also have felt cornered by people who were pushy. I'm starting to think it's the preference of the persuasive so they can badger you into doing what they want.

In an email, I have evidence of decisions made. People only say what they will stand by, and don't repeat you into submission. I can think about my response.

Most of all, phone calls are intrusive. They interrupt whatever you were thinking about or doing. Pretty rude these days, to be honest.

No. If I don’t recognise the number or it says no caller Id I don’t answer
If it’s important they’ll leave a message

I don't answer. If its important, then they will leave a message, which they usually do.

Because they're usually telling me I've been in an accident, they can sort my pension for me, sell me a funeral plan, offering life insurance, reduce my mortgage (we don't have one) or that my computer has been hacked, my bank account frozen or HMRC are sending a warrant for my arrest.

Nobody who genuinely knows me and wants to speak to me withholds their number. If it's important they'll leave a message.

picklemewalnuts
"Pretty rude these days, to be honest."

That is so interesting....from a sociological point of view (if that doesn't sound too fancy)....we are viewing phone calls as interruptions now.

I do get it. I am known for never answering my phone....I check who it is and see if I can be bothered....I really have to be in the mood (about once in every 2 months!) to just "chat" on the phone.

I guess I am "chatting" now....exchanging opinions, shooting the breeze on-line...exactly when I want and under no obligation to ever come back.

To be fair OP, I'm a bit jaded! Other people may feel more positive.

I never get 'nice' phone calls any more, they tend to be because someone wants something off me! It will be a sales call, or a scam, or my mother wanting me to help her print an email (which takes hours as she has cataracts and can't see the screen...). I haven't had a nice chat or a welcome invitation in as long as I can remember.

I do answer unknown callers incase it's spin to win on this morning! I work in insurance though and get a thrill out of challenging the knowledge of cold callers saying I've had an accident that wasn't my fault. Funnily enough, I'm still waiting for an answer as to whether I'm covered when I was driving drunk and fled the scene of the crash

I remember a time before mobile phones emails and answerphones.

It genuinely isn't all that long ago. What do you think people did then, if the phone rang or someone knocked on the door?

I avoid as they are normally pushy sales call/have you had an accident type calls. Can't be arsed with it.

I answer unknown calls now because I am job hunting and I used to work in recruitment and I know that they don't always leave messages if they need an immediate answer.
But back when I was in debt and when I used to give out my number to guys when I was drunk , I used to avoid unknown numbers like the plague.

I never did, but then dc became ill and needed a lot of tests and treatments. when dc was ill I always answered calls as nhs never displays numbers.
but now dc is well again I again don't