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 don't really fear phones. Just fear answering a phone. I often go into a panic when it rings, who is it? What do they want
I often go out shopping without a phone. Why would I need a phone with me when I'm just going for an hour around streets I know by heart?
I use my phone for other purposes: web browsing, this website, GPS mapping software.
Voice calls I dislike. It's difficult to get things done on a phone. A few years ago a friend try to call a taxi from my flat. The taxi firm refused to come. They claimed my postcode did not exist.
I fear phone calls if I don't already know what they're about. At work I've told people that if I don't know why they're ringing I'm unlikely to answer the call so if they do need me to leave a voicemail and I'll get back to them.