If you don't answer the phone when you don't recognize the number . . .

[Mickey'snewestfan]

Can someone explain this to me? Especially in the context of a parent whose children are not with them (e.g. are at school). I work in a school. We've had several incidents where we've had an emergency and needed to get in contact with a parent. We've called and called and left messages and tried emergency contact. The other day two staff members ended up leaving school midday in order to drive to a student's grandmother's house. When they got there she picked up the phone, and called her daughter who immediately answered -- her excuse "I don't answer the phone when I don't recognize the number".

I don't always answer the phone if I'm at work, but everyone who works with my kid has my work number too. Furthermore, if I saw that I was getting lots of calls I'd probably figure out something was up and check the voice mail.

 

[mtemm]

I don't usually answer if I don't know the number, but I do check the vm after!

 

[Pig Pen]

This is funny because I usually never answer when I don't recognize the number. Tonight I decided to go ahead and pick up the phone.

The first call (caller ID said Hampton, NY) was someone soliciting money for Special Olympics. The second call was someone from Maine looking for my dad who lives 1,500 miles from me. I have no clue how this person got my number.

I can't wait for caller #3....

 

[kimblebee]

I don't answer the call if I don't recognize because more than likely I don't know who it is. I don't have a land line and only give out my cell phone number to people who I know. My daughters school, doctor, friends are programmed into my phone so their name comes up if they call. If someone wants to get a hold of me that badly, they can leave a VM and I'll call them back.

 

[ilovepete]

I don't usually answer if I don't know the number, but I do check the vm after!

This is what I do.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

Do you make exceptions when your kids aren't with you, and aren't with someone whose phone number you'd recognize? Generally when we call from our school, it's from a teacher or administrator's cell phone so it won't be a familiar # unless you've gotten a call before. Even if it comes from the school's landline, the outgoing number is different from the number you call so you might not recognize it.

I just can't figure out getting call after call and not thinking "I wonder what's up, let me check."

I guess it's more logical than when you have parents who won't answer if they know it's school. I've had some where we need to run around until we find someone whose cell we've never used, because as soon as they get one call from that # they block it.

 

[MM27]

We don't have a problem with parents not answering, because they don't give us the code when they have call intercept. The put a note in every newsletter that goes home to please allow calls from the school because there have been instances when the nurse needed to reach a parent and couldn't even get through.

There are some parents that have caller ID and when they see that it's the school number, they won't answer after a while because we bother them too much

 

[eliza61]

I don't answer the phone if I don't recognize the number. Way more solicitations than emergencies. I don't work in an "office" so it's definitely easier for schools to get me on my cell anyway.

I do have caller id so most of the numbers are 800 numbers (not an emergency) or are from city's (boise Idaho?) where my 16 year old and 18 year old wouldl have to do some serious explaining if they were there.

 

[My sister's princess]

I work in an office where 2 people sometimes handle over 150 calls a day. People leave a message, we call them back, they don't pick up because they don't recognize the number, then get mad when they call back and can't get through!!

I answer all calls, with DH overseas he calls from some of the oddest numbers

 

[golfgal]

As my phone is ringing right now for a telemarketer, no, I don't answer if I don't recognize the number. I will wait and see if they leave a voice message though.

 

[daughter_of_amid_chaos]

I am more likely to answer the phone if I do not recognize a number because it could be an emergency.

 

[mjkacmom]

This is why I have caller ID, to screen calls. If it's the school leaving a message, I pick up right away.

 

[mtemm]

Do you make exceptions when your kids aren't with you, and aren't with someone whose phone number you'd recognize? Generally when we call from our school, it's from a teacher or administrator's cell phone so it won't be a familiar # unless you've gotten a call before. Even if it comes from the school's landline, the outgoing number is different from the number you call so you might not recognize it.

I just can't figure out getting call after call and not thinking "I wonder what's up, let me check."

I guess it's more logical than when you have parents who won't answer if they know it's school. I've had some where we need to run around until we find someone whose cell we've never used, because as soon as they get one call from that # they block it.

nope, I don't. however, I do check my vm immediately after, so assuming they left a message the call would be returned promptly.

 

[mhsjax]

I don't answer if I don't know the number, I am so tired of people demanding money, and yes not asking demanding.

Anyway our school system pops up as the county, so I know that it is them. Also if it was an emergency, I would hope that the person calling would leave a message.

 

[Robinrs]

I don't answer unknown calls, either, especially since I've only had this phone number for a few months and know everyone I gave it to.

My son's school comes with a County School System Id. No worries that I'd miss a call.

 

[KiminChicago]

We have caller id and every time I've gotten a call from school it says "Public School District XXX" so I know to answer it. The only time I missed a call from the school was when my cell phone died while I was out running errands. Fortunately, our home phone has a light that flashes when there's a message, so I did eventually find out why they called.

 

[kathie859]

My kids are all grown and on their own; however, we have young grandchildren. If I received a call from an unrecognized number, I would fully expect the party to leave a voicemail (which I would callback immediately in the case of an emergency.) The purpose of caller ID and voicemail is to sort out garbage calls. Frankly, we all are so "wired" with land lines, individual cell phones and so anyone who's important in my life is programmed into the display so I know it's them calling. Anyone else--short of emergency personnel, can go fly a kite. The phone is for MY convenience--not outsiders.

 

[diznygirl]

The school district is identified in our Caller ID, so I would pick it up. In addition, all our numbers here in town are so similar, if I recognize the first 6 numbers chances are that it's a neighbor or local business.

 

[FireDancer]

Another great reason to give out a Google Voice number instead of your home or cell. Not only can that number ring both but if the number is unrecognized and you don't answer the voice mail is transcribed and texted to you. It would take very little time to get the message and return it.

 

[Angelhalo]

I don't answer when I don't know the number, but I don't have kids.