# Do you use the ignore button on your phone? If so, how often and with whom? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 7, 2019, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-the-ignore-button-on-your-phone-if-so-how-often-and-with-whom/843100 "2019-11-07T01:01:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Personal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Personal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Personal)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2019, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-the-ignore-button-on-your-phone-if-so-how-often-and-with-whom/843100/1 "2019-11-07T01:01:40Z")
I don’t use the ignore button, but I do ignore calls. My phone is nearly always on vibrate, so there’s no noise with an incoming call. If I want to ignore it, I’ll hit the volume control once and that stops the vibrating. I don’t know why I do it that way, but I guess I don’t want the caller to know that I’m ignoring the call. It’s just the way I’ve always done it. The only calls that I will pick up unless I’m otherwise occupied are from the spouse, one friend and my siblings (the latter because I know it’s important as we talk infrequently). Next tier is I answer calls from my mother more than my father because I know her conversation will be short, but I don’t answer them every time she calls. Everyone else I answer only if I’m in the mood or are expecting their call. And, of course, unknown numbers I always let ring through. Next paragraph spoilered because it’s from last night’s episode of The Resident. It’s not essential to the post, but just explains what brought the topic to mind. This topic came to mind as I watched a recent television show. A man was in the hospital because he was in a plane crash. His spouse was upset that the last call that he had made to her she hit the ignore button because he had the habit of being long-winded, and she didn’t have time for the call. She was remorseful because she was told that he may not wake from surgery and the last memory of him would have been her hitting the ignore button on him. I’m curious as to your call-taking habits. Do you handle them similar to mine? Do you not hesitate to hit the ignore button? ---
**Author:** ![Personal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Personal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Personal)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2019, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-the-ignore-button-on-your-phone-if-so-how-often-and-with-whom/843100/2 "2019-11-07T01:09:51Z")
I seem to recall when I was a kid in the late 70s we had a telephone hard-wired into the wall, and we didn’t have an answering machine (I don’t think many people did). Letting a call ring through wasn’t really an option. The phone would just ring and ring and ring (loudly, mind you) until the caller hung up. And if you took the receiver off of the phone and laid down, after 30 seconds or so, the dial tone would cut off and the earpiece would start clicking, loud enough that if you were in the same room you could hear it. You couldn’t unplug the phone because it was hard-wired both ways. The old man would occasionally grab the receiver and throw it in a kitchen drawer if he didn’t want to be disturbed by the phone. What we have now is a big improvement. I can ignore people at my pleasure. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2019, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-the-ignore-button-on-your-phone-if-so-how-often-and-with-whom/843100/3 "2019-11-07T01:12:34Z")
It would do me no good. They would text or email. Or like my DIL come to the house. If I don’t know the number I hit ignore. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2019, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-the-ignore-button-on-your-phone-if-so-how-often-and-with-whom/843100/4 "2019-11-07T01:18:19Z")
For spam calls I always hit the button that ends the call immediately and stops the ringing. Spam calls are anything with my home area code, as anyone from there that I know is already in my phone. If I think it might actually be something legitimate I’ll let it go to voicemail. (Spoiler alert, it never is. Anytime they leave a voicemail it’s about my car insurance [I don’t have a car] or from the “IRS.”) Anyone else I’ll answer when it rings. ---
**Author:** ![MacSpon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/34f0e0/32.png) [@MacSpon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacSpon)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2019, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-the-ignore-button-on-your-phone-if-so-how-often-and-with-whom/843100/5 "2019-11-07T03:19:57Z")
If I’m on a bus, I ignore incoming calls. Whoever it is can text me instead if they really need me. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2019, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-the-ignore-button-on-your-phone-if-so-how-often-and-with-whom/843100/6 "2019-11-07T04:44:45Z")
I don’t hit the button. When the phone rings, I look at the caller ID. If I want to talk to the person, I’ll answer. If I don’t, I’ll let it go to voicemail. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2019, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-the-ignore-button-on-your-phone-if-so-how-often-and-with-whom/843100/7 "2019-11-07T04:57:38Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > For spam calls I always hit the button that ends the call immediately and stops the ringing. Spam calls are anything with my home area code, as anyone from there that I know is already in my phone. If I think it might actually be something legitimate I’ll let it go to voicemail. (Spoiler alert, it never is. Anytime they leave a voicemail it’s about my car insurance [I don’t have a car] or from the “IRS.”) > > Anyone else I’ll answer when it rings. On my phone, the ignore button still allows them to leave a voicemail. I like listening to them, especially the ones in Chinese. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2019, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-the-ignore-button-on-your-phone-if-so-how-often-and-with-whom/843100/8 "2019-11-07T05:06:34Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > For spam calls I always hit the button that ends the call immediately and stops the ringing. Spam calls are anything with my home area code, as anyone from there that I know is already in my phone. If I think it might actually be something legitimate I’ll let it go to voicemail. (Spoiler alert, it never is. Anytime they leave a voicemail it’s about my car insurance [I don’t have a car] or from the “IRS.”) > > Anyone else I’ll answer when it rings. I’d like a feature that would allow me to block any call starting with my area code-prefix that isn’t in my contact list. Way back when (late 90’s) my dad got a bunch of phones all starting with same number, save the last four digits so I can’t block all the calls with the same first 6 digits as mine or I’d be blocking my family. > [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > On my phone, the ignore button still allows them to leave a voicemail. That drives me up the wall. I remember reading a while back that cell phone providers won’t (or can’t) stop someone from leaving a voicemail, even if you block the number. I don’t recall their reasoning, but I’d imagine money is involved (ie the caller has to pay since the call still went through). What I’ve done is created a contact called ‘pick up hang up’. Any spam calls that leave a message get added to that contact, then I know to pick up and hang up instead of ignoring (or just blocking) the call and a minute later having to go and delete the voicemail. ---
**Author:** ![Personal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Personal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Personal)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2019, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-the-ignore-button-on-your-phone-if-so-how-often-and-with-whom/843100/9 "2019-11-07T05:15:01Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > On my phone, the ignore button still allows them to leave a voicemail. I like listening to them, especially the ones in Chinese. I had Verizon disable my voicemail 10-15 years ago. I hate voice mail. Nothing is a bigger waste of my time. If it’s important, people know to text me. Otherwise, if I’ve seen that you called I’ll text and ask if you need a call back right away. With work it’s different. I still don’t listen to voicemails; I just read the transcription, which sometimes can be pretty funny. ---
**Author:** ![Personal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Personal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Personal)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2019, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-the-ignore-button-on-your-phone-if-so-how-often-and-with-whom/843100/10 "2019-11-07T05:22:10Z")
@Joey P You might take a look at [http://vlmob.com/applications/calls-blacklist](http://vlmob.com/applications/calls-blacklist) if you use Android. I was able to block calls from my area code and prefix and add exceptions. Seemed to work well. ---
**Author:** ![steatopygia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steatopygia/32/3132_2.png) [@steatopygia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steatopygia)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2019, 7:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-the-ignore-button-on-your-phone-if-so-how-often-and-with-whom/843100/11 "2019-11-07T07:29:44Z")
My sister had a contact listed as “Never Ever Fucking Answer”. The number was a crazy neighbor. ---
**Author:** ![pullin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c57346/32.png) [@pullin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pullin)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2019, 11:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-the-ignore-button-on-your-phone-if-so-how-often-and-with-whom/843100/12 "2019-11-07T11:24:28Z")
There’s a button on the phone to ignore calls? Who knew? Unlike most of my family, my phone is not glued to me at all times. Therefore I’m unlikely to know about a call until I happen by the thing and notice the blinky light in the corner. At that point I evaluate the caller and the time I’m willing to invest. I’ve got a pretty good idea of the time loss per relative and I sort them thusly. One requires a minimum 22 minutes, another is 18, etc. Wife and kids get an immediate response though. So, to answer the OP’s question, few calls get answered when they ring, and roughly half are returned. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2019, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-the-ignore-button-on-your-phone-if-so-how-often-and-with-whom/843100/13 "2019-11-07T12:33:02Z")
In iOS 13 there is the option to send any call not on your contacts list straight to voicemail. I _never_ answer my phone. Everyone knows I prefer texting, so the only calls I get are from those who don’t know me. Once every day or two I read/delete my voicemails (Apple speech to text is great). ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2019, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-the-ignore-button-on-your-phone-if-so-how-often-and-with-whom/843100/14 "2019-11-07T12:36:21Z")
> [@pullin](#): > > There’s a button on the phone to ignore calls? Who knew? Not sure if you’re joking but…on pretty much every Android and Apple phone, the green button answers the call, the red button ignores (or declines) it and sends it to voicemail, they both show up on the screen while it’s rining. If you have an older flip phone, usually pressing one of the buttons on the side without opening the phone, will push the call to voicemail (IOW ignore). ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2019, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-the-ignore-button-on-your-phone-if-so-how-often-and-with-whom/843100/15 "2019-11-07T12:50:53Z")
I use an app called “Should I Answer,” which uses crowdsourcing to identify telemarketers, scammers, and other bogus calls. I set it so that it only rings when someone in my contacts list calls. I get notifications about other calls, but they don’t ring, and 95% don’t leave voicemail. The only downside is that I have to turn it off if I’m expecting a visit from a plumber or other service person whose number isn’t in my list. But that’s not a big deal. As soon as they’re done, I switch it back on. My landline is through my cable provider (Comcast), and I use NoMoRoBo, which intercepts nearly all junk calls. Occasionally the phone will ring once and stop, and sometimes other calls get through, but if I don’t recognize the name on the caller ID, I don’t pick up. I get one or two real calls a month. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2019, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-the-ignore-button-on-your-phone-if-so-how-often-and-with-whom/843100/16 "2019-11-07T13:03:12Z")
I use NomoRobo and Do Not Disturb. I receive near zero calls. Only my wife and spammers call me, anyways. ---
**Author:** ![Author\_Balk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Author\_Balk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Author_Balk)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2019, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-the-ignore-button-on-your-phone-if-so-how-often-and-with-whom/843100/17 "2019-11-07T13:23:32Z")
“My phone” is actually a work phone. Even combining personal and work calls I don’t get many calls. Any call could be a work call and I should answer. Some are obviously spam and I ignore those, but if I’m in doubt I need to answer. And quickly hang up if it’s not work or someone I know. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2019, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-the-ignore-button-on-your-phone-if-so-how-often-and-with-whom/843100/18 "2019-11-07T13:54:28Z")
If I don’t recognize the number, and I’m not currently on someone’s references list or otherwise semi-expecting an unknown caller, I will not answer the call. ---
**Author:** ![rbroome](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/838e76/32.png) [@rbroome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rbroome)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2019, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-the-ignore-button-on-your-phone-if-so-how-often-and-with-whom/843100/19 "2019-11-07T14:00:30Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > Not sure if you’re joking but…on pretty much every Android and Apple phone, the green button answers the call, the red button ignores (or declines) it and sends it to voicemail, they both show up on the screen while it’s rining. > > If you have an older flip phone, usually pressing one of the buttons on the side without opening the phone, will push the call to voicemail (IOW ignore). Ah! I was wondering what this thread was about. I have never heard of an ignore button. I had no idea what was being discussed. That is what the hang-up button is called? ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2019, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-the-ignore-button-on-your-phone-if-so-how-often-and-with-whom/843100/20 "2019-11-07T15:32:40Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > Not sure if you’re joking but…on pretty much every Android and Apple phone, the green button answers the call, the red button ignores (or declines) it and sends it to voicemail, they both show up on the screen while it’s rining. Mine’s a little different in that one button shows up on the screen. I swipe it one way to answer the call and swipe it the other direction to reject it. Or I can simply ignore the call and it will go to voicemail. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-the-ignore-button-on-your-phone-if-so-how-often-and-with-whom/843100.md?page=2)