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[EthansMom]

I have a pre-paid cell phone, so people who know me know that I don't use it just to chit-chat. And I am a SAHM, so no phone calls from work.

At home, DH hardly ever answers the phone. I'm pretty good about answering the phone, but if it rings during dinner or when I'm relaxing, I'll let the answering machine pick up and return the call later.

Just because someone wants to talk to me doesn't guarantee that I want to talk to them. A lot of times, I just don't feel like talking period.

I think it's silly how many people think they HAVE to be available at all hours. People who are having casual conversations on their cell phones in public restrooms and in restaurants (esp. while dining with others) drive me nuts!

 

[deekaypee]

No cell phones and no call waiting at home, just an answering machine. And we screen our calls.

It's not that we're unfriendly and unavailable, it's just that we're...okay, unfriendly and unavailable!

 

[Stitchfans]

It depends on what I am doing and who is calling. I screen my calls with the caller ID>

 

[Boston Tea Party]

IMHO a ringing phone is an "invitation" to answer. I refuse to allow the phone to "command" me to answer it.

My father-in-law will break his dang neck to answer the phone

 

[Robinrs]

My boyfriend's favorite line is "if I heard that voice mail message ONE MORE TIME..."

I hate to be always accessible. I'm a very private person in RL and prefer NOT to be reached whenever someone wants to reach me. Only my son has that right.

Robinrs

 

[maddiemouse]

I figure that my phones are for my conviennce. People get annoyed with me b/c I don't always answer. I check my messages and immediately return emergency messages but the rest can wait till I sit down and make calls. Honestly, what did we all do before cell phones and answering machines. Somehow we all survived. Phones vex me in general

ITA, I can turn off the ringer on my phone, thank God, and I keep it off most of the time. I really hate talking on the phone, probably a result of my time working as a telemarketer, eons ago, to help put myself through school, horrible job . I ALWAYS return personal calls, and check my voice mail frequently, so I'm not impossible to get ahold of. I have a cell phone, mostly in case I have car trouble, but my sister is the only one who has the number.

 

[Ready to go in Ok]

IMHO a ringing phone is an "invitation" to answer. I refuse to allow the phone to "command" me to answer it.

I am with you 100%! I screen my calls usually. If my home phone rings, it is a telemarketer 95% of the time. If my cell phone rings it is usually work. Not a lot of motivation to answer a telephone.

 

[willis37862]

I hate the phone....and I hate when people think my life should revolve around their call I have a friend who will call and call and call and has left up to 3 messages in less than an hour if I don't answer fast enough....I just want to tell her TO GET A LIFE

 

[disykat]

I only give my cell phone # out very selectively for emergency use only. I have a message machine on my home phone and I can retrieve messages remotely if necessary.

I only have my phone on when both dh and I are away from the kids.

 

[Cool-Beans]

I do not accept calls at work. People can leave me messages on the cell and I'll get them after work. "If you are calling me at work, it better be to tell me that you're dying."

Otherwise, I pretty much pick up the phone. If it isn't important and I don't want to talk, I just say, "I'm in the middle of something, can I call you back?" No biggie.

 

[flying_babyb]

My sis is like that she gets so pissy when i dont answer the second she calls.

 

[Serena]

I'm not. At work I'm not supposed to have the cell with me, but I won't be out of touch for my kids. I don't get telemarketer calls at all which is really nice.
Just call me at home. I will usually answer it, or call back.

 

[Mermaid02]

I do answer my phone immediately. With 2 kids and a husband with a dangerous job- it's a must.

 

[rie'smom]

My phone will ring about 5 times-barely enough time for me to find the phone(we always play hide the phone ),then my cell phone will begin to ring. When that happens,it's my parents. About 5 minutes after I get off the phone,this game is replayed and it's my other parent. These 2 people live in the same house. Ya think they could coordinate the phone calls? At least I've learned to keep the phone with me after parent # 1 calls.