Hot take: it’s no longer appropriate to just call someone

[Anonymous]

So obviously this has nuance, but I think there is something in 2023 really sub optimum about calling someone randomly in the day. I am always in meetings but typically answer in case it’s the kids camp or school. These are all cases where they have email info or could text. Does anyone else find it super non ideal when people just… call? Unless it’s emergent?

[Anonymous]

I am a working mom in a C suite job downtown 3 days a week and working from home 2 days a week.

I get work calls all the time. Some colleagues text or ping me on Teams or email before calling to make sure I’m available. (Mostly subordinates; peers and higher ups just call.)

Friends and family tend to text to see if I’m free before calling during work hours. After hours they just call.

Doctors, schools, etc. just call.

[Anonymous]

I recently had a doctor's office set up an appointment by text and that was great.

[Anonymous]

100% agree. I do not answer unexpected calls unless it's my mom, DH, boss, or the kids' school/camp. If we need to talk via phone (which often is not needed), I'd prefer that it be scheduled via calendar or at least ping/text to see if I'm available in the moment.

[Anonymous]

Why is this so horrible? What I hate are the endless text streams which are difficult to decipher in tone.

And appointments? I have had an eye doctor, a dentist and a salon all call me in the last week to let me know that the appointments I booked online, with text confirmations, were actually NOT available.

[Anonymous]

All of you need to get over yourselves? You are not that important!!!!!!!!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I recently had a doctor's office set up an appointment by text and that was great.

My doctor has done this for a while. I love it!

[Anonymous]

Why does everyone have phone phobia?

I’m Gen X (nearly 50) and I enjoy getting old school phone calls out of the blue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All of you need to get over yourselves? You are not that important!!!!!!!!!!

+1

[Anonymous]

Umm, just don’t answer if you don’t want to talk. It’s not rocket science. Or silence your phone altogether

I hate talking on the phone but don’t get annoyed by people calling. Aside from telemarketers

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why does everyone have phone phobia?

I’m Gen X (nearly 50) and I enjoy getting old school phone calls out of the blue.

Disliking something is not a phobia.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why does everyone have phone phobia?

I’m Gen X (nearly 50) and I enjoy getting old school phone calls out of the blue.

I am considerably older than you, but hate them.

If it is on the weekend, I was undoubtedly just about to do something/have plans. At night, I am vegging out/too tired.

If it is during the week/day, I probably have a deadline/again, some plan for my time.

Just ask for a certain amount of time and I will schedule it, like I might a lunch with a friend. For a time I am relaxed and can make it my priority.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All of you need to get over yourselves? You are not that important!!!!!!!!!!

+1 life is short.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All of you need to get over yourselves? You are not that important!!!!!!!!!!

This. If you don't want to answer, don't. You'll get the VM. If you do want to answer, answer. JFC it's not that hard. Businesses are just doing their jobs.
If a friend calls you and you don't like phone calls, you should adjust your friend group. I've let friendships with difficult folks just fade out. That's not an impossible thing to do .

[Anonymous]

For things like appointments or signing up for something I would much prefer text or email. Otherwise it’s so awkward trying to spell out names and addresses and ID numbers over the phone.