Does anyone want to make a phone call for me...........

[HRHQueenOfQuotes]

gawd I feel daft - 27yrs old and still getting the jitters about making phonecalls that aren't to friends or family.

I have to call the Zimbabwean Embassy in London to find out whether we have to get a visa before we go - or whether we can get one at the port of entry (ie the airport) and how much it'll cost. And whether it costs the same for the DS's

But everytime I pick up the phone I get nervous and chicken out!!

I'm the same if I've got make phonecalls about other stuff too - only time I don't get nervous is if I'm calling my close family or friends....

Any advice??

Write down exactly what you need to ask - with space so that you can note down the answers.
Then take a deep breath and think of your trip !

Why don't you write down what you want to ask ?take deep breaths and do it...practise will help make it easier...honest?
picture the other person in your mind

I've alreayd written it down - and I've got the questions DH wrote down for me to relay in front of me too - but even the thinking of the trip isn't helping

The person on the other end of the phone is human and are there to help you. It's their job to be hepful ! Nothing at all to be nervous about. Come on - you can do it

what do you think is the worst thing that could happen?
Play it through in your mind

Plan a strategy to get you past it

I'm exactly the same. QOQ. I've just managed to phone a gas man to fix my boiler after being with intermittant hot water for about 3 weeks. And none at all for 5 days (luckily we have an electric shower so we don't smell )

The more you do it, the easier it gets. I used to be just like you then got a job where I had to ring people all the time - and I usually had an audience when I was doing it. It got to be second nature.

I'm nervous about 'odd' phone calls again now...but I know that's only because I'm not doing it on a regular basis these days.

Plus, they can't see you and they don't know you're nervous. I had to ring and make a fuss about something the other week and I really didn't want to do it but I took deep breaths, sounded completely calm - and managed to get us a refund of £120 so it was well worth it.

i'm exactly the sam hrhqoq!!! a bit naff, but i think of a treat once i've done it. and feel soooooo good afterwards! and when i'm on that high i do as much phonecalling as i can. and then sink into my phobia again until the situation gets desperate again. repeat ad nauseum.

FFS - can you believe it - I FINALLY dialled the number - it rang, someone (with a very Zimbabwean accent) answered - told them I was asking about visas and they said...........................

"Can you call back about 2.30 as they're all out at lunch at the moment!!!"

Still it's good to see the "laid back" attitudes of Zimbabweans hasn't altered - and they're in Central London LOL.

Well you've done it once then - the second time should be easy peesy lemon squeezy !

flipping 'eck - this is more like a joke now - just tried again.........and no-one is answering the phones!!! This the Zimbabwean Embassy in London and no-one can be ar*ed to pick up.

yay I did it! I called, and was told almost exactly the same as I'd read on several websites (not the embassy's are theirs is useless).

Still at least we now know where we stand.