Published on 12, July, 2020
Does anyone else have a horror of talking on the phone? I have hated using the phone since I was a child, although it is hard to pin down exactly why I dislike it so much. I think my main difficulty is 'reading' how a conversation is going when I can't see the other person. I pause for too long, or jump in too soon, or struggle to pick up crucial info from their tone - is this a bad time to call? am I making myself clear?
I am currently going through a work-related nightmare scenario where I have been asked to make loads of phone calls - in a situation I have always previously handled by email - and I feel stressed and anxious about all the time: anticipating the calls, making the calls, reflecting on the calls. It is supposed to be making everyone feel encouraged, but if any of the hapless recipients are like me they will be thoroughly put off!
I have always thought this was just a random failure on my part, but now I am wondering whether it is integral to my nature.
I do not like using the phone, i hate talking to people in general if i don't know them because im worried how they may react, and this is exasperated on the phone because at least in person i can read the situation, the phone provides an added unknown and so i hate talking even to people i know by phone. Proves quite problematic in work as we are all so reliant on phones nowadays. Ive even started to become anxious over emails. Ultimately though i just have to suck it up, eventually once my mortgage is paid i will jack it all in and ignore everyone, thats what keeps me going at any rate