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It’s one of the more ironic things about our society, I think, that now that we all have phones in our hands pretty much 24/7, we’ve developed an intense dislike of actually speaking on them.
We’d rather text or DM or PM or Snapchat or heck, even email before actually picking it up and talking to whoever is on the other end of the line.
This guy has an irrational fear of answering, no matter who is calling, and he wonders if he’s alone.
Does anyone else have this irrational fear of answering calls, no matter who’s calling?
byu/EngelJuan inNoStupidQuestions
Luckily, answers like that are just what Reddit is for.
Let’s check them out!
16. Definitely not.
I’m not alone then. I HATE getting calls.
Text me all you want – just don’t call me. I get anxious and uncomfortable and I have no idea why.
It’s gotten so bad even my girlfriend is affected. Yeah, she can call me and I’d answer, but our calls rarely go beyond 3 minutes.
I’m not even joking.
15. Those are the devil, too.
Sort of.
But for some reason I will never listen to a voicemail message as I think for some reason they’ll always be bad.
14. No good reason.
My biggest issue is unknown numbers.
I haven’t deleted a number I’ve saved in my phone since I got it but stuff like I’ve joined some service and the person I’m in contact with will use one number but their contact may contact me from another then the initial person has a work mobile that’s set to private and it’s all WHY IS SOMEONE PHONING ME???
13. Even more reason not to answer in your private time.
Yes.
I also work at a call center.
It’s lots of fun.
12. Things are getting worse, too.
I have a very difficult time answering phone calls. It wasn’t something I’ve always had… it’s progressed over the last 18 years.
Hell, even if I don’t answer and the callers leaves a message, I have a difficult time actually listening to the message. I don’t understand it… it’s completely irrational.
The only thing I can think of is that in my mind, if I don’t acknowledge the call or the message, I don’t have to deal with whatever potential threat/problem/situation exists on the other end.
11. Sometimes we have to.
I’m a 911 operator and I still have anxiety about using the phone, outside of work of course.
I’m guessing a different state of mind exists when you’re working that kind of blocks it out.
10. Sooooo awkward.
Yes, I have social anxiety to begin with but for some reason not being able to see the person I’m talking to makes it so much worse.
Also the city I live in has dogsh%t cell reception so by the fourth time I have to say “I’m sorry, say again?”
I’m about ready to curl up in a ball and give up. LOL
9. Anxiety is no fun.
Yes, but I suffer from generalized anxiety.
When my anxiety is really unsettled, the phone is really hard for me.
Making or receiving calls can be a totally daunting task.
Overwhelming, even.
Without the invention of texting, I would be SOL.
8. Just say no.
Yes. I hate answering my phone unless I know who it is or am expecting a call.
I just let it go to voicemail and then call back if necessary.
7. Apps are a godsend.
Luckily these days most places hat deliver support online or app ordering.
Haven’t called for a good delivery in a couple years.
6. Hopefully next year.
It certainly does make me feel anxious, and if I’m not expecting a call and it’s an unknown number, a little afraid too.
Either way, both of us should leave the house more often.
5. Humans should come with warning labels.
Yep! My boyfriend is nice enough to make appointments for me and pick up my meds.
I don’t know why but every time I make the calls myself it’s like I have this strange kind of goodbye exchange that seems all intimate and weird.
And then one time I accidentally hung up on a lady without saying bye and I could not get over it, I felt so bad.
I hate calling people, god dammit. I also probably never answer the phone when it rings.
Just send me an email or something I’m scared, I’m poor, I’m anxious, I don’t want what you’re selling.
4. It’s a real thing.
Telephone phobia is reluctance or fear of making or taking phone calls, literally, “fear of telephones”. It is considered to be a type of social phobia or social anxiety.
It may be compared to glossophobia, in that both arise from having to engage with an audience, and the associated fear of being criticized, judged or made a fool of.
3. Why would you?
Same.
I never answer my phone if I’m not expecting a call or don’t know who it is.
If they don’t leave a message I don’t call back.
2. This is definitely a thing.
I’ll do you one better.
If I’m going to order ahead from a restaurant and I discover that they don’t have online ordering, I find a different restaurant.
1. At least you’re not alone.
generalized anxiety
That feeling when you are watching the screen, knowing you cant reject the call, and holding your breath until the call leaves the screen, so you can get back to Reddit.Next, you wonder how long is best to wait, before you text them an excuse as to why you didn’t answer..
Then, you get lost on Reddit and forget someone called, and you never call or text them back.
Eventually, you see them in person, they’re all, “yooo, you never answer your phone! Why do you even have one?!”
Sorry, I just suck at life.
I don’t think I have a fear, exactly, but I would definitely rather text.
Give us your thoughts in the comments!
