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Original poster

Do you answer withheld calls

138 replies

Thewayshetalks · 01/11/2022 18:02

I hate having withheld calls, I sometimes miss them and then spend all day wondering who has tried to call me.
does anyone ever answer them?

OP posts:
RampantIvy · 01/11/2022 22:16

There seem to be an awful lot of posters full of their own self importance on this thread.

Given that most withheld numbers are from places like the NHS or the police why wouldn't you answer the phone, especially if you know they won't leave a message?

DH got a phone call from a withheld number this morning. It was the hospital making an appointment for a CT scan. It's a good job he doesn't think that anwering the phone is beneath him

neighboursmustliveon · 01/11/2022 22:17

We nearly missed an amazing competition trip abroad because my husband doesn't answer unknown/with held numbers. They rang a few times so he eventually answered and was so glad he did!

SavingsThreads · 01/11/2022 22:19

@purpleme12 there really wasn't any need to be so rude or defensive. All I did was express shock that you would need to answer withheld numbers just in case one of those two things had happened.

Delatron · 01/11/2022 22:19

I don’t think I’ve ever had a call from the NHS or the police so I’m not sure why they’d start now. I don’t have hospital appointments. If I was maybe I’d answer but a hospital wouldn’t be calling me.

School - I know the number it shows.

In my work I can’t answer my mobile (I’m teaching) so it’s presumptuous to think people always answer their phones. I wouldn’t when driving either - even with hands free.

If it’s important they’ll leave a message. Surely these important NHS calls leave a message…

purpleme12 · 01/11/2022 22:20

SavingsThreads · 01/11/2022 22:19

@purpleme12 there really wasn't any need to be so rude or defensive. All I did was express shock that you would need to answer withheld numbers just in case one of those two things had happened.

I thought you can't across as rude actually. Hence my reply

purpleme12 · 01/11/2022 22:21

*came, not can't

SavingsThreads · 01/11/2022 22:23

@purpleme12 ok well that's your perception. Chalk it up to miscommunication based on surprise

RampantIvy · 01/11/2022 22:23

Surely these important NHS calls leave a message…

No they don't. It's to do with patient confidentiality.

Sparklingbrook · 01/11/2022 22:26

If it’s important they’ll leave a message. Surely these important NHS calls leave a message…

They aren't always allowed to due to privacy issues. For instance if a relative that didn't know that their relation was having hospital treatment picked up a voice message reminding them to attend an appointment etc that could be a problem.
Depends on which bit of the NHS maybe, and landlines or mobiles.
As a PP said they had a job to make these calls but some never answered them and would turn up for appointments that had been cancelled.

Original poster
Thewayshetalks · 01/11/2022 22:40

I would have answered the calls today but I was in a meeting and just missed them, they didn’t call back, haven’t been the hospital in years so not expecting any calls from them, not sure who else it could have been to perhaps try calling back.

OP posts:
Hbh17 · 01/11/2022 22:42

Nothing is so urgent that calls must always be answered and immediately. A good point was made by the person who is a teacher - there are many jobs where a phone is not allowed; would you expect your surgeon to be answering his or her phone when they are in the middle of an operation?
When driving, my phone is safely in my bag, so I possibly won't look at it for several hours.

PyongyangKipperbang · 01/11/2022 22:46

Nope never.

I used to but it was mostly scams about my "recent car accident" so I dont anymore. I know that most people doing this was the reason that my doctors now always call from their identifiable number and when I have had calls from the police (had a couple recently due to a criminal damage incident) they come up with a mobile number and they always leave a message. I believe the local hospital comes up with their googlable number too.

If a call is important they will leave a message. It will bug me sure, but I am not answering it!

blippi123 · 01/11/2022 22:48

Never

They can leave a message

Would you open your front door to somebody wearing a balaclava?

Sparklingbrook · 01/11/2022 22:52

blippi123 · 01/11/2022 22:48

Never

They can leave a message

Would you open your front door to somebody wearing a balaclava?

I don’t get the comparison. Balaclava?

But I’m one of those weirdos that not only answers the phone if it rings but also the front door. Bit of a rare MN species. 😄

Snugglemonkey · 01/11/2022 22:52

Never. I assume that if it is important, I will have a voicemail and if it isn't I am glad I dodged it.

butterfliedtwo · 01/11/2022 22:56

Nope, just as I don't open the door to people I don't know.

They'll leave a message if it's important. Doctors here don't have withheld numbers in my experience. Not UK.

RampantIvy · 01/11/2022 22:58

Unless someone suffers from extreme anxiety, are on a Teams call or lives in a rough area why wouldn't you answer the door or the phone?

I don't get it.

Alphabet1spaghetti2 · 01/11/2022 22:59

I would need to actually be able to access the nhs in order for me to receive a phone call from them. If I did, and was expecting an appointment/treatment/follow up, then yes, why wouldn’t you answer all and any calls you reasonably could?
Have no other reason for nhs /police etc to contact me via phone. Dh wouldn’t be able to give it to them as he doesn’t know it - it’s locked in his phone under my nickname. No kids, no family to be notified of a nok/poa.
so it’s not being full of my own self importance @RampantIvy rather it filters out random rubbish like using a spam filter on email.

Sparklingbrook · 01/11/2022 23:00

RampantIvy · 01/11/2022 22:58

Unless someone suffers from extreme anxiety, are on a Teams call or lives in a rough area why wouldn't you answer the door or the phone?

I don't get it.

Me neither.

Original poster
Thewayshetalks · 01/11/2022 23:01

RampantIvy · 01/11/2022 22:58

Unless someone suffers from extreme anxiety, are on a Teams call or lives in a rough area why wouldn't you answer the door or the phone?

I don't get it.

I do have bad anxiety but I do open the door, quick check before who it is or a thought if I am expecting something but I live in a really quiet area so the doorbell doesn’t go much.
Phone wise I am getting more and more nuisance calls and it makes me not want a phone anymore.

OP posts:
Delatron · 01/11/2022 23:01

But the NHS must also understand people are not going to be able to answer their phones at all times! Anyway I’ve never had a call from the NHS so I’m not too concerned. Seems like they may need a new system though. Email? Text?

Sparklingbrook · 01/11/2022 23:03

Phone wise I am getting more and more nuisance calls and it makes me not want a phone anymore

Not having a phone at all would instantly solve your problem I guess. 🤷‍♀️

Original poster
Thewayshetalks · 01/11/2022 23:03

Delatron · 01/11/2022 23:01

But the NHS must also understand people are not going to be able to answer their phones at all times! Anyway I’ve never had a call from the NHS so I’m not too concerned. Seems like they may need a new system though. Email? Text?

I think they do text now to confirm appointments or to cancel, my moms had both via text and voicemail in the last year

OP posts:
CeeceeBloomingdale · 01/11/2022 23:03

Yes. My work line shows either withheld or a random geographical number not connected to where our offices are so calls are often ignored. We only call when there's an important reason to, no cold calling or anything like that so if I'm ignored I nomally ring a second time before leaving a message. Curiosity means the second call is very often answered

jay55 · 01/11/2022 23:04

When I'm job hunting, yes, the rest of the time, not so much.