Do You Answer Your Telephone?

[kellyg403]

No way. I have teenagers. When the phone rings, DH and I just watch those 2 battle it out over who will pick it up. But I hardly even hear it ring anymore.

I actually took the landline phone OUT of my bedroom. What with calling people at 11 at night on a school night? So the only landline phone we have now is downstairs. The bedrooms are upstairs and I don't even hear it anymore. The kids know 10 is the cutoff but I am sure that what I don't know is not going to kill me.

DD17 will stand right by dd14 when she is on the phone. She can hear the click when call waiting comes through. They fight because dd14 won't click over, and dd17 is just WAITING for that one call. This is the same girl that can't hear when I have said 1 million times put your work schedule on the fridge so I know what is going on, but she can hear that little click 10 feet away with the phone at her sisters ear?

 

[cristit14]

If I recognize the number on call waiting I will, unless we are having dinner and then they will have to leave a message.

 

[mom2boys77]

Only if I know who it is and want to talk to them.

 

[KristiKelly]

I check caller id. If I don't want to talk to whoever - I don't answer. Caller ID is a wonderful thing!!!

 

[dkdaisy]

We have all the ringers off on our home phone and don't answer it when it rings. The only people that call it are telemarketers and an occasional call from church or something. They leave a message and I call back. DH sleeps during the day (works third shift) and having the phone ringer on just means he gets bad sleep every day. The only reason we have a home phone is because its required for our internet (darn DSL). We're trying to get different internet.

Cell phones are another matter. I generally answer, but sometimes I don't feel like talking so I don't. I feel that if its important, they'll either leave a message or call back and I can go from there. The thing I absolutely hate though is that people think that because you have a cell phone they have a right to talk to you whenever they feel like it regardless of whether or not you want to answer. For example, my DH's family is notorious (at least among my family) for this. If they call DH and he doesn't answer (because its the middle of the day and he's SLEEPING people. Hello!) then they call back three or four more times. If he still doesn't answer they call me, every time (when I'm at work) and say "Well I just wanted to make sure that DH is alive because he's not answering his phone." Ummm yeah, he dies every day and that's why he doesn't take phone calls. Seriously people, get a grip.

Sorry for the tangent. Short answer: we answer our cell phones when we feel like it, which is usually always unless we're sleeping or otherwise occupied, but never our home phone.

 

[KATHINOWA]

The majority of the time--no.

Even with caller i.d., I don't answer--it depends on who it is and if I feel like talking or not.

A ringing phone never bothered me. I could let it ring and ring and ring.

 

[trip]

The majority of the time--no.

Even with caller i.d., I don't answer--it depends on who it is and if I feel like talking or not.

A ringing phone never bothered me. I could let it ring and ring and ring.

That's how I am. We have our answer machine set to start at 4 rings so the ringing doesn't go on and on. If it is important they can leave a message.

Also, I don't answer my front door either if I don't feel like it. The way my house is set up I can see who is at the front door but they can't see me.

 

[DebD4T]

If he still doesn't answer they call me, every time (when I'm at work) and say "Well I just wanted to make sure that DH is alive because he's not answering his phone." Ummm yeah, he dies every day and that's why he doesn't take phone calls. Seriously people, get a grip.

O/T...THAT made me actually laugh out loud!!!

 

[Stitchfans]

We screen with our caller ID. If it is someone we want to talk to we will answer. If we don't recognize the phone number we won't answer. If it is someone we are trying to avoid we definitely do not answer.

 

[Kath2003]

I answer my cell phone. Normally when it says "number unknown" it's my dad calling from work - he calls through a switchboard so the number never displays. Never had any unwanted phone calls but I never give out my cell phone number, nor is it listed anywhere.

 

[Phedre]

No, that's what the answering machine is for. I don't have caller ID and am planning on giving up my land-line completely. I can't remember the last time I actually received a call from there that I wanted. everyone, who I want to call me has my cell phone number.

As for the PP who's irritated at people not answering phone, I think of it as more than being "my phone." It's my house and my time and my own private space. A phone call, unless it's prearranged expected, is an interruption at the least, an invasion at the most. Just because people get the number doesn't mean they have a right to interrupt me in the privacy of my own home.

I shouldn't be expected to drop everything to answer the phone for someone else's convenience. In my own home, I'll get back to them when I want to. Of course, they'd better answer when I call back.

I 100% agree with this post. Calls are an invasion and I want nothing to do with them!

 

[DVC-Don]

Only if I know the person on the ID and then not every time. DW on the other hand is known to do the 100 yard dash in 2 seconds to answer each and every call regardless of who is on the ID.

 

[Handbag Lady]

My phone never rings, actually....


*Sigh*

 

[maiziezoe]

Home phone, never. I have the ringer turned off so I don't even have to hear it ring. Several times a day I check the caller ID to make sure I haven't missed anything important.

Cell phone, sometimes.

I am a texter, not a talker.

 

[Suzie Zoo]

Only if I know who it is and I feel like talking to him/her. My friends don't usually call, they text.

I'm on the phone half the day at work and I get tired of talking on it. As far as I'm concerned, if someone wants to get in touch with me, that's what texting and email is for.

 

[acadia1960]

Yes, if we are home, the phone gets answered.

 

[lulugirl]

I hate the phone. I always check caller ID before answering.

 

[sPaRkLeSpAz]

I always answer :]

 

[PghLybrt]

We dont plug the house phone in.

As for cell phones, depends on who is calling. If I don't know the number then I do not answer.

My girlfriend on the other hand answers every call, and she has 2 phones!

 

[Judy from Boise]

I hate the phone, and am immediately irritated whenever it rings ! We have a single ring then it goes to the machine.I know it is a control issue....but it is what it is!