Letting the phone ring for ages.

[MrsKoala]

I have a few people in my life (1 friend and my parents, altho Mum is getting better) who call up and let the phone ring and ring for ages. I have a small baby and am often upstairs in the shower or baby napping, and they let it ring and ring. The friend even rings repeatedly every 3 mins or so till i answer. When i do they are indignant if i am annoyed and say something, and I have had responses such as 'fuck you then, i'll never call if i'm such an inconvenience' and then phone slam.

If i call someone and they don't answer within 4-6 rings i hang up.

So aibu to think it's rude to let the phone ring for ages? And can you buy house phones you can mute? I keep my mobile on silent because of them, but they just ring the house phone. It has never once been important btw.

I have spoken to these people numerous times and they are adamant i am being weird.

answer machine. 'I'm busy right now and will get back to you when I can'

I really loathe chatting inanely on the phone. I have one friend who often rings me, leaving messages for me to call her urgently, and then she "just fancied a chat". I can spend several hours a day on the phone at work - I don't want to chat in my own time.... I sometimes take the initiative and text her with a little update or a 'sorry, will be in touch soon' type message. I love meeting up with her, but I don't want the phone stuff. I have an answering machine which I use to screen calls and I have no compunction in using it!

Good fucking grief, some people...

I'm a bitch. I'll happily admit it. The amount of times I have said something and it's gone down well with everyone bar one person, because everyone else has gone "Thank fuck you've said something, I wouldn't have the guts", must number in the hundreds.

Seriously, I'd be unplugging my phone and telling anyone who will listen that, if they want to talk to me, they ring me ONCE AND ONLY FUCKING ONCE. If it is a dire, life-or-death emergency, then you may ring up to three times. After that, it stops. I am obviously busy, and will ring them back WHEN I HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY.

Fucking disgusted at that MIL of yours, YouHeadTheManTubbs, who lets the phone chirp and then hangs up. I'd be apoplectic at that point, reversing the charges and all sorts.

Yep. Unplug your phone.

We have a different ring programmed on our house phone for a person who we like to choose whether we answer or not, knowing that if we do it will be an our long conversation.

I really want to see a picture of the dog pulling off a wicked Barbara impersonation