On a personals site, someone indicated interest in my profile. I responded in kind. The person sent me an email through the site - complete with an email address and cell phone number.
Considering there was no communication or contact between us before the person’s email containing the information, do I need to be alarmed that this person gave out one’s cell phone number to what amounts to be a total stranger? (My sister believes something’s fishy when someone so non-chalantly gives away one’s cell phone number - desperation or some evil plot.)
Ever think that maybe this person has no land line and that all they have is a cell phone? This is my current situation. In fact I haven’t had a land line for the past two years.
Or are you just talking about giving out a phone number period in this situation?
Maybe that person is simply not paranoid? I’ve exchanged phone numbers many times with someone I just met. Maybe your new contact feels more comfortable talking than typing, and I can’t find too much wrong with that.
In itself, there’s nothing remotely suspicious about giving a mobile number. It could be anything from him/her being easier to contact that way, through to their wanting privacy (after all, a mobile number can’t be pinned down geographically without inside knowledge). Without more information, it’s impossible to know. But it’s certainly not in itself a reason to drop them.
I was a bit worried that he gave out a number, period.
I’m probably too paranoid - I know I’d never do something like that until I know a person better. But then again, I’m highly cynical and pessimistic when it comes to peeps (the human type, not the sugary confectionary). Guess not everyone’s like me. (And thank goodness, according to many I know!)
Well, you’re right. The location of the number given differs from the person’s location listed in the profile. But the same is with my number: my dad chose the number because it’s close to his, and he chose his own number for some reason which escapes my mind right now. But the point is that our numbers belong to an area other than to where we live. (There are websites that tell where a number is from based on the area code and first three digits of the number thereafter.)
Oy, simulposting in my own thread! How terrible We have become!
In my estimable experience with the personals, I’ve found that many men will give out their number very early on. I’ve been taken aback- “gasp, talking seems so… intimate” I’ve mumbled to myself. Apparently men don’t usually feel that way and to them giving the number just means it’s easier to communicate with you.
I can see why someone would not want to give out the number of a landline or home address until they themselves have checked you are not some kind of nutter.
However it can also allow a person to withold their true identity if they had some other motive too, but it cuts both ways.
I’m pretty nonchalant about handing out my phone number… there’re probably about two dozen people of varying levels of intimacy, from acquaintanceship to close friendship, that know it and I’ve yet to receive any sort of threatening calls or suspicious packages in my mail.
Really, when it comes right down to it, I’m much more worried about what my neighbors might do to me than someone I’ve never met online and even then I’m still unconcerned.