Do you have a compulsion to answer the telephone, even if you are too busy to talk?
542830
Never - when I hear the phone ring (which isn't often cause I've turned it down so low), if I'm busy with my 1 year old twins, then forget it, my kids are more important than whoever is on the phone, and they should leave a message if they want to be called back.\n\nYou are right, people who answer your phone are rude, none of their business who is calling you!  Stand up for your privacy rights and say something (politely) to the effect of "Please don't answer my private calls."  If they get offended it's their fault - know that offense is taken, not given.
602140
my favorite line to telemarketers is to tell them im busy right now and if they will give me there home phone number i will call back. when they say no, i say oh i guess you dont like people bothering you at home either. and then i hang up.
189406
Whatever you do don't let anyone guilt-trip you.  If you are busy, you're busy.... check in by phone on a regular basis.
441602
My dad used to say something that I didn't understand, but BOY DO I UNDERSTAND NOW!\n\nHe said, "I pay to have a telephone for MY convenience, not others'.  If I want to answer it, I will; if I don't, I won't."\n\nI now drive my kids nuts with this saying.  \n\nWhat also bugs me is when people want to call, and talk for hours, about nothing at all, or spend half the time talking to people in their home.  If you want to call me, do it, state your business, chat a little, ok, but then, WE'RE DONE!\n\nNo.  It's not rude.  Maybe they should consider it is rude of them to think, even though you already stated you don't like the phone, that you want to stay on.\n\nYou probably would go ahead and answer if people would realize the irritation, and only call when it was important, right?\n\nPS>>>To the other folks who replied: If I were to guess, this asker probably has to communicate all day.  She, like me, wants to go home to a quiet haven, and have some down time.  The telephone can be an irritating nuisance.  It's not that she doesn't like her friends, it's just that she probably feels overwhelmed.\n\nAN IDEA:  Try asking your friends if they NEED to call, to please only call between, say, 6 and 7 pm.  Explain that you are needing time to unwind.  Maybe this would be a way to show them that you still care about them, but also about your sanity.
611336
I agree with the first answer, that's how my department's phone system works. We use Alti-Client. We have to constantly remind each other to work and talk, so picking up the ability to talk in between dialing is a good asset. We have also set aside the last 30-45 minutes of the day for paperwork and processing so we don't have to worry about it as we go. Just leave it all for the end of the day, leaving enough time to make sure it gets completed.
1067531
Yes I do, but it isn't only in class that this happens.  It amazes me that some people can't go long enough to enjoy a good meal in a nice restaurant without having to take a call.  It is rude!  \n\nDon't get me wrong I think cell phones have their place, for emergency's and such, but I do not feel that the phone has to be glued to your ear 24 hours a day.  And don't even bring them up while in a car!
328628
Its 5pm in Australia......I just started answering questions today and cant walk away - i feel that i am addicted to answering questions. \n\nWhy are you still awake\n\nMight try and chat later .....tried it earlier today but just didnt get it - am probably doing something wrong
570432
Don't answer the phone.
792252
the deeper meaning of life..\nuhmm no, seriously, you can't force conversation..and if the conversation dies than it's just time to end the phone call. it's not that huge of a deal. i feel ya though, i'm not a phone person and i'm always stuck trying to come up with shit to talk about..but like i said.. you can't force it. if you have talked about your day, her day, and some stuff in between than there isn't much else you can do..
1099687
answer your phone...lol....sorry,,couldnt resist !!
26954
don't answer the call, if you think that will hurt him/her then answer the call and make yourself annoyed and say that you are bussy right now.
1017886
Yes  I have 2 in fact. If I don't call them I'll never talk to them, in fact I have stopped as of 3 months ago. I just got tired of always being the one to pick up the phone and call.
527595
I enjoy talking online since I don't like to talk on the phone. But if someone is near me, that I can see in person I will talk to them. But I always talk to people I know, except when answering questions, which isn't actually talking to someone-- in a conversation.
949471
Only he knows if he is going to call or not. \n\nDon't dwell on it, or sit by the phone and wait for the call.
687566
why don't you call them and ask them? are you that lazy?
414338
well i text people a lot because i'm either too shy to talk, I don't want to risk the empt silences, or I just want to say what i need to say and not have a whole conversation about it- just say HI.
599867
I would answer a call ( I know you're not supposed to ) but I wouldn't do the others, if I was by myself.\n\nIf someone was with me, I'd have them answer the phone, and call someone back that I'd hung up on.  But I still would not do 2.