I have to make a couple of phone calls, and I’m just procrastinating right now, because I get very nervous about it.
I don’t mind receiving phone calls at all, well, except, if someone is trying to sell me something. And if I have to order pizza or make a doctors appointment, I have to remind myself that it’s their job to answer the phone. I just take a couple of deep breaths and try not to let my voice shake so much.
But when I have to call somebody’s house, I always imagine that I’m interrupting them or waking them up or that they will just be in a bad mood and yell at me. I hate it. I even get a little, teensy bit nervous when I have to call my dad or sister at their jobs, but like I said, just a couple of deep breaths…
Anybody have the same experience?
Also, words of reassurance are welcome.
Yep. I have huge phone anxiety. I adore texting as an alternative, but to be honest, texting has enabled and enriched my phone phobia. It’s made it worse.
Of course, I’ve had all sorts of jobs which demanded I be on the phone all the time. Ugh.
I had a job where I had to confirm sales by phone. I could only think about how I was interrupting this persons lunch. I hated it. I lasted, oh, about 2 days. (quit, not fired)
I’m astonished to read this thread. Do those who describe this kind of anxiety think they might be advised to seek treatment for it? To me it sounds like some kind of serious neurosis or at least a severe social disability.
I’m 47. I hate making phone calls, pretty much for the reasons the OP mentioned. I love email, and communicate that way whenever possible. I would rather relate to people in person than on the phone.
I’m an old fart and have never particularly liked using the phone. I used to have calls with one friend that lasted hours due to necessity, but I have always tried to be brief. SMS is fantastic.
Dinner?
5.30 club
is a perfect phone conversation but only works properly as SMS.
And no I don’t need therapy. I am often praised for my cheerful phone manner, it’s just not my favorite way to talk to anyone, except enemies maybe.
But you’re not one of the ones saying that you experience heavy anxiety, afraid every time you have to make a call that you’re waking someone or disturbing them or will make them angry.
I’m 36 and I hate talking on the phone, too. Oh, I do it, and I also get praised for my phone conversations and my ability to leave coherent concise VMs…but I will never like it.
When I was younger I had phone phobia. I felt like I was talking to the phone and not a person on the other end. Experience put an end to that. Mostly anyway, occasionally I stiffen up before making a call.
I don’t much like phones either. I’m not young. I procrastinate making calls, as talking on the phone makes me anxious. Apparently it’s not obvious to those on the other end of the line.
I will do almost anything to avoid talking on the phone, but I wasn’t always this way. I think it’s just an extension of social anxiety. Like Anaamika, I have good phone skills (thanks to years and years of clerical work), but I’d rather have a root canal than spend an hour on the phone. It’s only a tiny, tiny bit less stressful than talking to someone in person.
I don’t mind talking to my family on the phone, but I’d much rather use email for strangers, or, at work, just walk to their office.
Especially ironic for me since I worked for the phone company for 15 years.
Actually, no problem at all with conference calls come to think of it.
