All of us have a friend or two who never answers their phone.
I'm not talking about the people who are very busy and don't answer because they've got so much going on.
I'm referring to those people who, for no apparent reason, do not answer their phone. Ever.
What is up with that?
I've got two particular friends who never answer their phones. They haven't for years.
They're not busy. Yes, they do have jobs, but I know their hours and when they're home, they sit around in front of the TV.
It usually takes me going over to their house to contact them. When I ask them why they don't answer their phone, they say, "I was busy." I come back with, "I left you a message. Were you too busy to take a minute to call me back?"
Then they give me the lame excuse that they didn't check their voice mail.
I've even asked their wife/girlfriend about it, assuming that maybe my friend doesn't like me much anymore and if I did something wrong. And they tell me that my friend doesn't answer their phone for anyone.
I don't care how busy a person is or how introverted and society-shy they might be. People who never answer their phone or bother to return calls are rude and lazy.
Their behavior is beyond selfish.
They sure as hell will use their phone to make calls when they need to.
Maybe it's a power trip kinda thing. Maybe when their phone rings, they look at the caller I.D., see that it's me and think, "Haha! I don't have to answer you. I have the power! Haha!"
What makes a person not want to pick up when a friend calls?
I can understand if they're having a bad day. But when they've been doing it for years, it's a problem.
Whenever my phone rings, I always pick it up. The only time I don't is if I don't recognize the number.
Blatantly ignoring my friends by never answering my phone is unthinkable to me.
I'm about ready to issue an ultimatum to these two guys and tell them that if they continue to do it, they can forget about having me as a friend.
How about you?
Got any friends who are notorious for never answering their phones?
Nope, , I don't have a cellphone, ,and anyone that doesn't return my calls, , well I really couldn't see how one could call them 'Friends'. .
I always answer calls from friends, even if im not particularly in the mood to talk to them, just because I would feel bad if it was something really important, or if they needed help in anyway.
I use to do that. Mostly because bill collectors like to harass the crap out of people even when it's not your debt. I got calls all the time about my sister-in-law who owed money on a car and listed me as a contact number. I would tell them that she did not live here and ask that they not call only to get another one the next day.
There is also times I just don't want to answer the phone. No reason other than the fact it's often relatives who I don't feel like dealing with at the time. And I sleep odd hours as well as most people in my home. My wife works overnight so I usually wait until she gets home to go to bed. So calling me during the day is like me calling you in the middle of the night.
Then there is the very real fact I don't check my voice mail but about once a week. Why because most of my messages are telemarketers. I got plenty of time to go thru an delete them later.
Finally, I really just dislike telephones in general. Seldom does anything good happen cause of them, often they are the bearer of bad news or a source of irritation. When was the last time someone called to tell you you won something int he middle of the night or when you were about to sit down to dinner. Nope it's always someone died or would you like to witch your long distance carrier crap with those calls.
I hate phones. I hate calls. But I usually answer my phone. However, I say email me and we'll call it a day.
Agree with Meqal. Telemarketing pretty much ruined the usefulness of the telephone. I hang up on somebody because I don't want to hear about their very important offer, then I feel guilty for being so rude. Or half the time there's nobody there - must be some damned telemarketing computer that dials a bunch of numbers at once or something. I mute my show right at the best part, or just as we're sitting down to dinner, go over to the phone and say "Hello?" Wait. "Hello?" Wait. "HELLO?"
I have on screen caller ID and unless I know there is money on the other end I rarely answer in my down time, I spend half my day or longer on the phone dealing with people I do work for.
So leave a message.
Actually my home answering machine message says "HI, I'm home right now, in a few seconds you're going to start talking and I'll have a decision to make." BEEP ....
Naturally my business phone is a tad more professional.
The telemarketing trick that used to steam me the most was the automated system that calls you up, then rings a telemarketer after you answer. So they've interrupted me with an unsolicited sales pitch, and made me wait for it. That and I always hate when my bank calls me to find out if there's some way they can serve me better. The inevitable answer: "How about leaving me the #%@ alone?" That I hate because I am required to give them my phone number, which they do need in case they need to call about my account. That does not give them permission to abuse it, even if they think I want to be "informed" of new services they'll gladly provide for an extra fee.
As for answering the phone, I do use the caller ID and the voicemail to screen calls. For instance, if it's obviously for my wife and she's not home, I find it easier and more reliable to just let them record their own message, rather than sorting it all out myself and then having to remember to give her the message. And if it's a relative or someone likely to talk for a while, we might let it go and call back when there's more time. Generally, though, we pick up the phone when it rings, particularly if it's a local call, and always if it's a friend. And we usually check messages frequently. I will sometimes try to manage phone calls by not picking up some of them, but I agree that people who don't return calls at all are just plain rude.
I have caller ID and if I don't recognize the number, I don't answer the phone. Period.
Quote from: The Burgomaster on February 23, 2009, 11:20:56 PM
I have caller ID and if I don't recognize the number, I don't answer the phone. Period.
Why I say I use to do that. Caller ID and anonymous call rejection have done wonders for me. Granted I still ignore the phone if it's relatives I don't want to speak with. I have gotten better about checking my voicemail cause the telephone provider I have now sends me an email with a .wav file of the message attached. How I find out I have most of my voicemail messages is by checking email.
There is actually a phobia of the telephone called appropriately enough telephonophobia.
QuoteTelephonophobia
An abnormal, persistent fear of telephones
I knew someone who claimed to have this but I just told them that it was a cover for them just being an @ss by never answering their phone.
If anyone on these boards ever wants to call me at anytime, I'll PM you my phone number. :smile:
i don't answer my phone because verizon is a s**t company, i had them come out twice and they claim they can't find the problem but my phone doesn't even RING
Quote from: AndyC on February 23, 2009, 11:02:36 PM
That and I always hate when my bank calls me to find out if there's some way they can serve me better. The inevitable answer: "How about leaving me the #%@ alone?"
:smile: :smile: :bouncegiggle: :teddyr:
Quote from: CheezeFlixz on February 23, 2009, 10:18:21 PM
Actually my home answering machine message says "HI, I'm home right now, in a few seconds you're going to start talking and I'll have a decision to make." BEEP ....
If you do happen to call my home, I got a message that says, "Congradulations, you are playing the voice mail game. If you are one of our lucky callers you will receive a free call back. Press 1 if you want to play or hang up now."
I hate the phone.
I flat out refuse to answer it. When I'm alone, I'll let the answering machine pick it up. If it's a friend, family member or someone I want to talk with, then I'll pick it up. Otherwise, I just let them leave a message.
When the wife is home, I let her answer it when it rings, but she knows to not tell people that I am immediately available, because it's usually some telemarketer.
I've never believed that just because the phone is ringing, I have to answer it.
Quote from: Shadow on February 25, 2009, 12:03:08 AM
When the wife is home, I let her answer it when it rings, but she knows to not tell people that I am immediately available, because it's usually some telemarketer.
I prefer to let my wife get the phone, only because it's for her more often than it's for me anyway. If I know she can't reach a phone in three rings, I'll grab it. As for telemarketers, anybody who asks for one of us without first identifying themselves gets asked what the call is about. If they don't give an immediate and satisfactory answer, we hang up.
The machine answers the phone in our house.
i didn't think anyone used phones anymore. I thought everyone was texting
Quote from: Susan on February 25, 2009, 08:52:44 PM
i didn't think anyone used phones anymore. I thought everyone was texting
I HATE texting! My sister and her daughter text me all the time and I never reply, then they'll call and ask why I didn't reply to their text and I say "Because it's a phone, call me."
Quote from: CheezeFlixz on February 25, 2009, 09:14:08 PM
Quote from: Susan on February 25, 2009, 08:52:44 PM
i didn't think anyone used phones anymore. I thought everyone was texting
I HATE texting! My sister and her daughter text me all the time and I never reply, then they'll call and ask why I didn't reply to their text and I say "Because it's a phone, call me."
I hate cell phones. Actually...I hate phones! People act like the world will end without cell phones,computers,and so forth! The world has been going round sicnce dinosauers! Geronimo didn't have a cell phone or a beeper! Neither did your grandfather,father or YOU...depending on how old you are! Did Jesus have E! Channel spreading his word? Am I starting to babble like a manatic? (yes...I meant to type manatic....I'm gonna TM that word!)
Not a big fan of the phone. I always pick up my cell which only a few people call me anyway but my house phone, wouldn't have one if I didn't need it for DSL and my mom and grandfather do need it.
Texting is ok if you want to send a quick message but actually making a whole convesation out of it? I will never understand.
Quote from: RCMerchant on February 25, 2009, 09:31:05 PMI hate cell phones. Actually...I hate phones! People act like the world will end without cell phones,computers,and so forth! The world has been going round sicnce dinosauers! Geronimo didn't have a cell phone or a beeper! Neither did your grandfather,father or YOU...depending on how old you are! Did Jesus have E! Channel spreading his word? Am I starting to babble like a manatic? (yes...I meant to type manatic....I'm gonna TM that word!)
Yes! Your postings are getting more insane. :bouncegiggle: Thanks for the good larf.
Quote from: Ash on February 23, 2009, 08:20:00 PMI've got two particular friends who never answer their phones. They haven't for years. They're not busy. Yes, they do have jobs, but I know their hours and when they're home, they sit around in front of the TV. It usually takes me going over to their house to contact them. When I ask them why they don't answer their phone, they say, "I was busy." I come back with, "I left you a message. Were you too busy to take a minute to call me back?" Then they give me the lame excuse that they didn't check their voice mail. I've even asked their wife/girlfriend about it, assuming that maybe my friend doesn't like me much anymore and if I did something wrong. And they tell me that my friend doesn't answer their phone for anyone.
:lookingup:
Quote from: Ash on February 23, 2009, 08:20:00 PM
I don't care how busy a person is or how introverted and society-shy they might be. People who never answer their phone or bother to return calls are rude and lazy.Their behavior is beyond selfish.
"Beyond selfish...?" Really?? I'm a dead duck.
Quote from: Ash on February 23, 2009, 08:20:00 PM
They sure as hell will use their phone to make calls when they need to.
Maybe it's a power trip kinda thing. Maybe when their phone rings, they look at the caller I.D., see that it's me and think, "Haha! I don't have to answer you. I have the power! Haha!"
Insecure, maybe just a bit? Reminds me of
Susan's thread: Get over it!
Quote from: Ash on February 23, 2009, 08:20:00 PM
What makes a person not want to pick up when a friend calls?
I can understand if they're having a bad day. But when they've been doing it for years, it's a problem.
Whenever my phone rings, I always pick it up. The only time I don't is if I don't recognize the number.
Blatantly ignoring my friends by never answering my phone is unthinkable to me.
I'm about ready to issue an ultimatum to these two guys and tell them that if they continue to do it, they can forget about having me as a friend.
LOL Oh my goodness, you're giving me that material to work with? :bouncegiggle:
Quote from: Ash on February 23, 2009, 08:20:00 PM
How about you?
Got any friends who are notorious for never answering their phones?
I hate talking on the phone. My old employer offered to pay for a cell phone, but I refused, I won't carry one of the things and don't want my calls following me around. I do see the value of a cell phone for security purposes, but I don't want one.
Are you sure your "friends" just don't want to talk to
you?
We also have the on screen caller ID, a great invention. Now I don't have to get out of my chair to know whether or not to answer the call. I use the same system at work and home if I don't know the number and they don't leave voice mail I ain't picking it up.
I was that friend that didn't answer - I always saw phones as an invasion of my privacy. Why should someone on the phone get priority over the people I am with in person or whatever I am doing, just because of the intrusion of an annoying ringtone? (In that respect, I prefer texting as it is at the recipient's pace and time scale, although I attribute a decline in literacy standards to text language).
Thankfully most of my friends now know that I do not answer my phone (although they are lucky it I have it charged or turned on as it is never a priority for me) so rarely ring me. They text and email instead so if they do phone me, I know it is for something important.
I don't answer my phone because the only people who call me are bill collectors, telemarketers, and robo-calls from my local congressman. If someone calls with a number I don't recognize and they don't leave a message, then obviously they don't care enough to talk to me and as such I do not pick up the phone. :smile:
What I really hate is when telemarketers or bill collecters call me and say..."All are operators are busy. Please hold."
THEY call ME at MY home and put me on HOLD!?!?! Do they really expect me to sit thier and HOLD when they called ME?!?!?! HA!!!
I once got a call from the campaign of some local candidate running for MP or MPP. Can't remember which. Anyway, this campaign volunteer asks me who I'm voting for. I tell him it's none of his business, but if he really must know, I was voting for his guy. But being as his campaign is the only one currently abusing my telephone number, I'm seriously reconsidering. He got flustered and started to make the usual excuses, and I hung up.
What I really hate is the marketers who won't take no for an answer. Politely decline their offer and they just keep pushing. Finally, I just have to tell them to f**k off and slam the phone down. You can just imagine this being the basis for some horror story about how rude people are to telemarketers.
I've only once felt sorry for a telemarketer. Somebody called for a donation to a charity I would gladly support. I told him this, but explained that I would not support telemarketing. His feeling was that since it was for charity, it wasn't telemarketing. I respectfully disagreed and told him good day.
Funny, I don't mind so much if somebody comes canvassing door to door, either for an election or a charity. I guess it's because it's usually a local person and they're taking the time to speak face-to-face. The exceptions to that are, of course, Jehovah's Witnesses and official-looking guys trying to get a look at my gas bill. They get the door slammed in their faces.
"Please stay on the line to receive an important message!" Egads.
Then there's some damned machine calling me up. I get up, not the easiest thing to do when the cat is sleeping on the footrest of the recliner, put the TV on mute (that's okay, they were just about to give the DNA results for the half chimpanzee / half human thing that I've been watching for the last 50 minutes), start for the phone, almost there...it quits ringing. Marvelous. I'm sure their computerized telemarketing system probably increases their profits a couple of percent, and all they have to do is call millions and millions of people and hang up on them just before they answer.
The one I hate is when I miss a call by scant seconds, dial the person back, and they've TURNED OFF THEIR CELL PHONE. :hatred: What the hell is that? You can ring me up but you can't be bothered to keep your phone on in case I want to call back and find out what the hell you wanted? If that's the case, at least leave me a freaking message!
Yeah, the "Please stay on the line..." calls are the worst! On the plus side though, sometimes it's nice to come home after a long day to check my messages and find repeated incidents of telemarketers picking up the line only to ask "Hello? Hello? May I speak to the head of the household? Um, hello?". I understand that people need to work, and sometimes those jobs are less than pleasant, but I wonder how many times a day they're told to insert their operator headsets somewhere they weren't intended to be inserted.
Quote from: AndyC on March 04, 2009, 08:11:39 AM
I once got a call from the campaign of some local candidate running for MP or MPP. Can't remember which. Anyway, this campaign volunteer asks me who I'm voting for. I tell him it's none of his business, but if he really must know, I was voting for his guy. But being as his campaign is the only one currently abusing my telephone number, I'm seriously reconsidering. He got flustered and started to make the usual excuses, and I hung up.
At least it was a human. I don't know if you get what we in the US call "robo-calls", calls by a machine that just deliver a recorded message.
A couple of years ago, a campaign in my state (Pennsylvania) used these to great effect in a close election. I think they actually tipped the election. All the likely voters for Candidate A received these calls, generally at annoying times, and if you hung up it would keep ringing you over and over and over. The message started out "I'd like to tell you a few facts about Candidate A". People called the campaign headquarters of Candidate A to complain, and like you threatened to change their votes. Many were interviewed who said they had in fact changed their votes because of this incredibly annoying call.
The calls came from Candidate B. To comply with the law, you learned that fact if you stayed on the line all the way to the end.