Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Confession...

I am a total phone screener.

True story.  If I am not in a chatty mood, I don't think it's fair to answer the phone when I know the person calling want to chitty chat.  I call back later.

If I am busy, walking out/in the door, am in the car but trying to concentrate, or a variety of other possible excuses, I don't answer.  I call back later.

Now, the first two don't actually happen all that often.  It's not very regular for me to see a call and skip it.  Unless I don't recognize the phone number.

In that case, I never answer the phone call.  It actually creeps me out.  That's why someone invented voice mail.  So I can screen in peace and decide if you need a call back.

What drives me batty though is when someone, say from St. Louis, MO, calls your phone from their mobile phone (that's White Pages for telling me that much) twice a day over and over and over and never leaves a message.  I am not going to crack and pick up the phone for you, mobile phone in St. Louis.  I am as stubborn and determined as they come sometimes.  So either leave a message or stop calling.  You know, for example.

So tell me....do you totally screen too?  Or am I crazy?  Not that I will stop- I love caller ID!  Just curious to know if everyone else is a total screener too.

16 comments:

Duchess said...

I always screen my home phone! I also try to screen my cell phone too but I have given clients my cell number and since I am a social worker I feel that I HAVE to answer the phone. Oy the Catholic guilt wins every time!

garden state prep said...

Oh my goodness I thought I was the only one who screened! The only time I don't screen is travel season/when I'm on the road for work because it's a constant game of "do you have so and so's number". There are only a handful of people who I don't screen and that's because I can say "this is the worst time and I'll call you back" without feeling guilty.

Danielle said...

I screen!! And I never answer any number that says unavailable.

supposedtobemysymphony said...

Agreed! I screen. And if they don't leave a voicemail, I head right to Google to figure out who the heck you are.

Jennifer said...

I always screen and I don't feel bad about it!

Katiellirb said...

I'm a total screener! I feel really guilty but I agree with you - sometimes I'm just not in the mood to chat. Or I know they're calling to tell me one sentence but we'll end up small talking for 5 min. That's what voicemail is for :)

Suburban Princess said...

I never answer the phone. I hate being trapped in stupid conversations about things I dont care about. I'm not the receptionist so I dont need to stop anything I am doing to answer the phone when someone outside is trying to invade my peace and quiet.

Love Being A Nonny said...

Girl, yes. Never answer a # I don't recognize and don't answer even when I do most of the time...unless it's family. :) Guilty pleasure....I'll talk when I want to.

mFw said...

I rarely ever answer in general unless its my parents! I prefer texting!

caknitter said...

When I had a home phone I would screen all the time. Telemarketers are a pain.
Got rid of the home phone and only have a cell, it's easier to block unwanted calls.

eas said...

I never answer the phone. My husband is the only one who will pick up our home phone and I always screen my cell. I would rather spend time with my family or enjoying what I'm doing. New follower and love your blog!

BpVetGirl said...

I always screen, I kind of presume everyone does. Sometimes I just am not in the mood to deal with chatting to someone and then sometimes I love nattering away for house.
Katie x

The English Preppy said...

I am worse - I don't have caller ID and sometimes just don't answer the phone - I think I have a sixth sense knowing its work asking why someone is double booked (just as I am about to sit down to Mad Men with a glass of wine or something). Tonight I was pooped coming in from work, the phone rang and it was a cold call - so I put Caspar on -that usually deals with that, they then tend not to call back again. Random numbers calling your cell is WEIRD though - wouldn't like that!

BroncoMom said...

The day Caller ID was introduced was a happy day for me. So it is safe to say, that I totally screen my calls every time.

Lindsey said...

I definitely phone screen. If they really want to talk to me...they can leave a message!

amanda said...

I'm a total screener. I hardly ever answer the phone anymore. I've got a toddler running around and I work all weekend talking to psych patients in the Emergency Room. That's enough conversation for my introverted self. And, if I don't recognize a number? Forget it! I don't like to be caught off guard. I'd rather know what you're calling about so I can be prepared when I talk to you.

LinkWithin