# If I gave out my phone number on here, who would call me? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 11, 2005, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-gave-out-my-phone-number-on-here-who-would-call-me/284278 "2005-01-11T21:16:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2005, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-gave-out-my-phone-number-on-here-who-would-call-me/284278/1 "2005-01-11T21:16:13Z")
Not that I’d post it publically on here. Also, the question is not whether it’s a good idea to give out one’s phone number on here-as I already know all the consequences of sharing personal info on the net (Not that I had any bad ones, but I know what COULD happen)-but whether or not anyone would be interesting in talking. I live a boring life here in Arizona. And I love talking to people. So…bad combo, cause so often I don’t have anyone to talk to. I don’t know that many people in my real life. I’m a male, by the way, and it’s not that I’m a hermit or a recluse. I just don’t usually have the time for a personal life. I’m always here online working. Like I said, boring life. ---
**Author:** ![iampunha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/74df32/32.png) [@iampunha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iampunha)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2005, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-gave-out-my-phone-number-on-here-who-would-call-me/284278/2 "2005-01-11T21:20:56Z")
Ah, sure, why not? Be interesting to talk to the guy behind SDMB Jeopardy!. I just have absolutely horrible telephone skills. ---
**Author:** ![UrbanChic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9dc877/32.png) [@UrbanChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UrbanChic)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2005, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-gave-out-my-phone-number-on-here-who-would-call-me/284278/3 "2005-01-11T21:31:13Z")
Have you considered AOL Instant Messenger? ---
**Author:** ![iampunha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/74df32/32.png) [@iampunha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iampunha)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2005, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-gave-out-my-phone-number-on-here-who-would-call-me/284278/4 "2005-01-11T21:31:56Z")
Ah, sure, why not? Be interesting to talk to the guy behind SDMB Jeopardy!. I just have absolutely horrible telephone skills. ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2005, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-gave-out-my-phone-number-on-here-who-would-call-me/284278/5 "2005-01-11T21:33:53Z")
> [@UrbanChic](#): > > Have you considered AOL Instant Messenger? Yeah, I have it actually. But it just doesn’t compare to ye olde telephono. ---
**Author:** ![iampunha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/74df32/32.png) [@iampunha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iampunha)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2005, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-gave-out-my-phone-number-on-here-who-would-call-me/284278/6 "2005-01-11T21:37:00Z")
Right. Said the operation had timed out. I blame … someone else. ---
**Author:** ![UrbanChic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9dc877/32.png) [@UrbanChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UrbanChic)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2005, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-gave-out-my-phone-number-on-here-who-would-call-me/284278/7 "2005-01-11T21:44:51Z")
> [@Idle Thoughts](#): > > Yeah, I have it actually. But it just doesn’t compare to ye olde telephono. Where’s your little AIM icon under your location, dude? I hate the telephone with a passion. I’d IM you, though. ---
**Author:** ![raindog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@raindog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raindog)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2005, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-gave-out-my-phone-number-on-here-who-would-call-me/284278/8 "2005-01-11T22:01:18Z")
There is a program avaialable on the net that, AFAIK, is 100% legit and legal. It’s called “Skype.” (I believe it’s from the guys who started Kazaa) It’s bascially internet phone service. It’s free. (They do have some pay features, but the basic set up is free) It’s growing wildly. It’s a small, quick download. If your computer is fairly new, all you need is a headset, combo mic/speakers. ($20 from radio shack) With the program, you can chage your stataus to “Do not disturb” and others. One status is “Skype Me”. Anyone wuth Skype can do a search for anyone with the status “Skype Me” (which essentially means, “Call me!”) I’ve received calls from Poland, Chile, Israel, China and more. All free. Call quality is excellent. It’s a quick way to meet some cool people you’d otherwise never meet. ---
**Author:** ![Rufus\_Xavier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eada6e/32.png) [@Rufus\_Xavier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rufus_Xavier)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2005, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-gave-out-my-phone-number-on-here-who-would-call-me/284278/9 "2005-01-11T22:32:20Z")
> [@iampunha](#): > > I just have absolutely horrible telephone skills. If your message board posting skills are any indication, you have a tendency to repeat yourself. If your message board posting skills are any indication, you have a tendency to repeat yourself. Don’t call me, I’ll call you. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Flander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8c91f0/32.png) [@Flander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flander)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2005, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-gave-out-my-phone-number-on-here-who-would-call-me/284278/10 "2005-01-11T22:41:51Z")
My phone skills are crappy as well, but I can type! I also know a few jokes. ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2005, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-gave-out-my-phone-number-on-here-who-would-call-me/284278/11 "2005-01-11T23:47:36Z")
> [@Flander](#): > > My phone skills are crappy as well, but I can type! I also know a few jokes. You’re hired. ---
**Author:** ![Earthworm\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f07891/32.png) [@Earthworm\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earthworm_Jim)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2005, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-gave-out-my-phone-number-on-here-who-would-call-me/284278/12 "2005-01-12T00:01:28Z")
> [@Idle Thoughts](#): > > If I gave out my phone number on here, who would call me? Telemarketers. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2005, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-gave-out-my-phone-number-on-here-who-would-call-me/284278/13 "2005-01-12T01:35:34Z")
I probably would, if I could pry the phone out of my teenage daughter’s hand. As discussed in the “Ask the phone sex operator” thread, my phone skills are excellent 😉 Now that I’m “out of the business” I wouldn’t even charge you. Of course, I wouldn’t talk dirty to you, either, but, hey, you can’t have everything! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2005, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-gave-out-my-phone-number-on-here-who-would-call-me/284278/14 "2005-01-12T04:11:19Z")
Now how could I refuse a post like that? ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2005, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-gave-out-my-phone-number-on-here-who-would-call-me/284278/15 "2005-01-12T04:19:59Z")
> [@norinew](#): > > I probably would, if I could pry the phone out of my teenage daughter’s hand. As discussed in the “Ask the phone sex operator” thread, my phone skills are excellent 😉 > > Now that I’m “out of the business” I wouldn’t even charge you. Of course, I wouldn’t talk dirty to you, either, but, hey, you can’t have everything! 😃 By the way, I’m known as the guy who prints out the topics here and reads them at home. I just printed out your 71 page thread “Ask the ex phone sex operator”. I shall read it when I get back. ---
**Author:** ![iampunha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/74df32/32.png) [@iampunha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iampunha)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2005, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-gave-out-my-phone-number-on-here-who-would-call-me/284278/16 "2005-01-12T04:48:01Z")
> [@Idle Thoughts](#): > > By the way, I’m known as the guy who prints out the topics here and reads them at home. I remember it a little more specifically than that… ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2005, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-gave-out-my-phone-number-on-here-who-would-call-me/284278/17 "2005-01-12T04:48:56Z")
Well, you did read the TMI topic. Anyway, I’ll email you my number tomorrow. ---
**Author:** ![Telperien](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/65b543/32.png) [@Telperien](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telperien)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2005, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-gave-out-my-phone-number-on-here-who-would-call-me/284278/18 "2005-01-12T04:57:07Z")
> [@Idle Thoughts](#): > > Yeah, I have it actually. But it just doesn’t compare to ye olde telephono. That’s how I feel, and I am shamelessly enamored of messenger programs. I get a thrill when people message me. It’s just like a phone call, except that you don’t have to cover the receiver in case of unexpected burping. Anyway, **Idle Thoughts** , I’d call you, if I had long distance. The Skype thing sounds like something to look into. ---
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2005, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-gave-out-my-phone-number-on-here-who-would-call-me/284278/19 "2005-01-12T05:06:30Z")
As an agoraphobic, I’m obviously at home all the time and have a set phone bill, so yeah, I’d like talkin’ to ya. However, you’d have to email me a time to call. See, I’m a night owl and might, theoretically, be asleep when you’re up and vice-versa. This way I can plan. It makes it sound like I have something to do! (email is in my profile, as well as my AIM name) ---
**Author:** ![Iceland\_Blue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/4bbf92/32.png) [@Iceland\_Blue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iceland_Blue)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2005, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-gave-out-my-phone-number-on-here-who-would-call-me/284278/20 "2005-01-15T11:34:16Z")
I have already been making phone calls to you. But since I haven’t spoken you won’t know it’s me…until now…oh crap! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-gave-out-my-phone-number-on-here-who-would-call-me/284278.md?page=2)