Phones

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Anyone else have a problem talking on the phone - especially with strangers? Being on the phone with someone I don't know is extremely stressful for me - the reason I could never have a job involving phones.

Yeah, me too. To follow a phone conversation with a stranger is impossible for me. I understand only part of what is being said. It's okay when I know someone's voice really well, but still difficult.

I used to do tech support. I basically scripted everything in my head. This was the only way I could handle it, and my mind could be on other things while I was answering phones.

I hate the phone. I feel like I have to talk, it's torture. family is half as stressful.

I don't find it stressful, but I've never seen the draw. Frankly, it's boring as all get out, but then I don't like small talk, either, and most of what people do on the phone is small talk. I prefer to just get on the phone, deliver my message or do my business, and get off.

When I was a kid, I remember seeing TV shows with the stereotypical teenaged girls who never put down the telephone and all I could think was, "Why?" I thought maybe some magical transformation would come over me and I'd figure it out when I was a teenager -- actually, I think my parents did this by telling me I'd understand when I was older -- but that didn't happen. I'm not afraid to talk on the phone, but I don't like to do it and will avoid it if possible.

My daughter, on the other hand, needs to just go ahead and have hers surgically implanted so her hands will be free for other things.

Regards,

Patricia

I don't mind talking on the phone that much, unless it's strangers, 'cause half the time I can't understand them...

But what I hate even more is the ringing of the phone. Something about it makes me want to scream and punch walls (though I don't).
I've become a master at ignoring the sound of a phone ringing. Usually I'll check the number and if it's someone I know (that is not family), I'll call back to ask why they called.

yes, big time

i absolutely cannot talk on the phone, especially when it's related to customer service, I could never make a career in customer service even if paid 60$ an hour.

I also hate that sound. I set the phones at my parents to a ringtone, I can tolerate. I cannot do that at my place however.

That said. I do not mind calling people. at some point in my past, I did, but it changed now. I prefer the phone to any form of asynchronous communication (like mail or even email, even in fora, I always feel a bit uneasy about starting threads). It also beats talking face to face to people since I cannot do that from my bed, under my plush Tuxen.

Phones are hard for me to use, I don't like talking to people in real life and it is even harder on a phone. It is probably one of the reasons I don't have a Mobile Phone.

This used to be a very serious problem for me.

Up until I was about 16, I COULD NOT use the telephone hardly at all.
I would be paralyzed by fear and anxiety, and basically shut down... couldn't speak, etc.
I hated having to call people. Even close relatives and people I knew. I would stutter, choke on words, say wrong things, and be generally overwrought with nervousness. Answering the phone was worse. The telephone was too unpredictable. (This was in the days before widespread caller-identification devices). There was no context. No body language. Just a mechanical voice that I had to interpret. That was too much stress for me to deal with. Most of the time, I would just let the phone ring.

Necessity forced me to overcome this to the extent that I am able. Living a somewhat-independent life, and the functional things that need to happen to facilitate it do require occasional phone conversations. So I've had to force myself to do it, even with gut-wrenching anxiety. Over time, I've learned to cope with it somewhat and de-sensitize myself to the feelings I get. Scripts certainly help. Extensive preparation really is the best helper. Being in a safe, comfortable place is also good, if it is possible.

I cannot fathom people who seriously just talk on the phone for enjoyment. Totally alien concept to me.

I hate phones. Email is much better, or even face to face.

I made the mistake at an early age to call an auto parts store to inquire about purchasing some air horns for the car. I was completely nervous and the man on th eother end thought I was a woman because my voice had a high pitch. The man was nice and even talked to me about some other stuff to calm me down. It took a few minutes, but I finally asked him about horns and he told me about some. After that, and a few more calls to strangers, I was able to be more calm during the call. I'd suggest trying that to overcome fears and anxiety.

The only problem I have on the phone are accents. Many people have some prety thick accents and many times I can't understand what they say. Come to think of it, that happens without the phone also.

I once tried to talk to a robocall. I wasn't successful.

I hate phones so much. my only phone (and the only one I ever owned) is a 10-year old, duckt tape wrapped siemens and I refuse to buy a new one. I hardly ever carry it with me or answer it, I mainly use it as an extra alarm clock and to send some text messages every now and then.

if it was possible to construct a bomb that would destroy all mobile phones in the world, I'd spend my whole life in the lab constructing it.

phones are evil.

i hate the phone. i usually will simply not pick up :M

I have an obsession with smartphones, but I do not like phone ringers, very startling to me.

As far as talking on the phone, I am pretty much okay there, and may even be good. Maybe because I am so inclined to audio I like them.

I don't mind talking on phones, but I cannot stand hold music.