Problems with answering my mobile phone to strangers

[NewBeginning84]

Hi All

I have not been on here for a long time but my life has changed, not necessarily for the better as I have been put onto Job Seekers Allowance since August 2013. Applying for 16 jobs maximum per week, and still no interview opportunities!! Since the beginning of this week (23/06/2014) I have been getting a lot of calls.

Which is not a bad thing at all apart from deliberately hanging up on them, because when I was 16 years old my so called friends, kept on getting their friends who I did not know to prank call me. By being very aggressive, rude and asking me questions which I found I could not answer. Afterwards they did say it is alright Oliver we were only prank calling you, as your mate is here with me.

But that made me feel fearful, scared, nervous, unsure, uncomfortable and unprepared as I did not know how to answer the difficult questions, and I did not know the other person on the other end of the telephone. What I would like to know is, has anyone had this kind of experience before? and if “Yes” how did you overcome your feelings of fear when speaking to strangers, on the other end of the telephone?

All the Best,

Oliver

[iamatortoise]

Hi,

I've never had the experience of being prank called by other people but I know how hard answering the phone to an unknown number can be.

A lot of people also have this problem. not knowing whose on the other end is bound to make you anxious especially with the experiences who've had.

If you're applying for jobs could you assume the unknown number is a potential job offer? Sometimes when my care-co says she's going to call it's not always from her work mobile so if it's an unknown number I presume it's her and if it's not hang up.

Would it help if someone else answered it first? So if you were with a friend or family member could you ask them to answer it, find out who it is so you can decide whether you're able to speak to them or not before your friend passes the phone over? I sometimes do this with my friend and it works really well. Or could you put the phone on loudspeaker that way someone else can hear what is going on?

[Laura2.0]

I like the idea of someone else answering the phone for you to check out who is calling!

I completely understand that you are scared to answer calls of unknown numbers. I don't answer the home phone if it is an unknown number, because it could be my dad (who used to yell at me at the phone and insult me when I was younger). It is ok with my cell phone though, because I know that my dad doesn't have the number.

[Angelina]

I hate answering unknown numbers because of difficulties with my parents and calling and I always worry that they've found my number.

I always let it ring out onto answer phone. I guess is that if it's important they'll leave a message or e-mail. Unless I am expecting a call from a No Caller ID or Withheld - then I will answer but I always wait for them to talk first even if it is awkward as they're all hello? because then I can see who it is. Unless I am certain of who is phoning.

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