Would you Answer a Ringing Cellphone that isn't Yours?
By ratyz5
@ratyz5 (7808)
Philippines
October 25, 2009 9:44am CST
Well, if its a ringing land line phone, its bound to be answered if ever its ringing. Its like we have to answer it if its ringing, right? We don't know whose calling so we end up answering. We also don't know if the call is for us or someone else so we still have to answer the phone if its ringing just to make sure, especially when we are not expecting any calls on our part. Not really that complicating really.
Sometimes, I still find value with land line phones even though with today's age, every seems to have a cellphone of their own. With land lines, we have to follow a schedule or else, we might not be around to answer a call. Cellphones had made it really convenient, we can easily call anyone without worrying about the time. Typical land line phones won't be able to display who is calling while cellphones make it obvious.
So how about with cellphones? Let's say that the one who owns the cellphone is not around at the moment and someones calling. We'd know whose calling if the number is registered into their contacts. We also know whom they want to talk to since they are obviously calling the phone of the owner. Would you answer the call just to tell that the owner is not there or let it just ring since if the owner comes back, he or she would answer and if it doesn't get answered, its understood that the phone was not attended to.
Still, should we still answer a ringing cellphone that isn't ours?
Well, got to think about it.. what are your ideas about the matter?
Thank you for reading.
5 people like this
36 responses
@CJay77 (4438)
• Australia
25 Oct 09
Like the first response says, it depends of who's phone is ringing, if it's my Husband or a very close friend of mine and I knows who's calling, I will pick up the phone and explain the situation. Actually, I've been into this situation when I was with my friend, we were in the car and she left me in there for a while to pick up something in the shop, then all of sudden her phone start ringing, but I didn't answer it because I don't know the person who's calling and she didn't ask me to answer her phone when its ring. I think the person who's calling that time give her at least 5-6 missed call, that time it made me think as well that it maybe emergency because the person kept ringing the phone, but as soon as my friend get in the car I let her know about her phone. 
2 people like this
@ratyz5 (7808)
• Philippines
26 Oct 09
CJay77
Yeah, if we know whose calling, we might as well answer the phone but, when its someone we don't know, we might end up hearing something we don't expect.
Now that you have mentioned it, if it keeps on ringing and ringing repeatedly, I might get this urge to answer the phone so that it won't have to ring again..(-_-")
@xannebull (1793)
• Philippines
25 Oct 09
it depends, if it's from my mother's cellphone or a cellphone from my close friend. i would see who's calling him/her, if it was the person whom i know, then i would answer it, maybe the call is very much important. if the cellphone belongs to someday i don't know much, then i wouldn't answer it of course, because she/he might get angry.
@ratyz5 (7808)
• Philippines
26 Oct 09
Yes, xannebull, that is a very valid reason to answer and not answer a cellphone that isn't ours. However, there are cases wherein even if we know who seems to be calling by viewing the caller being displayed on the mobile phone's screen whenever there is an incoming call, even though its suppose to be them, perhaps another person is just using the phone. Well, that's a rare case these days anyway since most people would have their own mobile phones.
If its from someone we know and the one calling is also a person whom we know, I guess we could answer it, perhaps it is really urgent.
@zweeb82 (5653)
• Malaysia
29 Jan 11
Well, if it's my wife's phone - 
YES; my family members' - 
MIGHT, depending on who's calling, someone that I might know then I'll do it. Other than that, I guess there's always the "missed calls" directory they can go back to. I can always tell them that someone called when they were away for that moment
YES; my family members' - MIGHT, depending on who's calling, someone that I might know then I'll do it. Other than that, I guess there's always the "missed calls" directory they can go back to. I can always tell them that someone called when they were away for that moment@ratyz5 (7808)
• Philippines
29 Jan 11
Hwoa!!
zweeb!
Its been a long time since I last read any posts from you.
Well, I have been out of this site myself (^_^") I have been so busy recently..
Okay, going back to the discussion.
I guess I wouldn't be able to do that, answering someone's phone when its ringing. I can easily do that with landlines, but mobile phones are a bit personal to me. Then again, if ever I was permitted before hand to answer calls, I guess I would.
For family members, I guess its the same case.
Thanks for sharing~!
1 person likes this
@ratyz5 (7808)
• Philippines
30 Jan 11
Oddly enough, I didn't get notified about this response you have posted. Luckily, I fancied looking at my discussions and there I saw you being one who made the last post in this discussion.
So that's why you have been out of activity. Not that its bad to be out of this site because of the things that we need to be responsible for in our realities. (^_^")
So that's why you have been out of activity. Not that its bad to be out of this site because of the things that we need to be responsible for in our realities. (^_^")1 person likes this
@zweeb82 (5653)
• Malaysia
29 Jan 11
Yup, same case And yeah, I think I've been away for more than a couple of years? I can't really remember as I've lost track. Have been very busy especially with addition of baby boy who's super active, haha!~
He's 31 weeks today as I type. Next Saturday he'll be 8 months!~ Time flies!~
And yeah, I think I've been away for more than a couple of years? I can't really remember as I've lost track. Have been very busy especially with addition of baby boy who's super active, haha!~He's 31 weeks today as I type. Next Saturday he'll be 8 months!~ Time flies!~1 person likes this
@carrine (2743)
• Philippines
26 Oct 09
if its not our landline phone i woudnt answer unless being told to pick it up. because why should i answer it? its not my property and have respect to the home owners. and if the somebody in the house are all busy ill ask permission to do so. respect is very important.
@ypyanyan (956)
• China
13 Apr 10
For me , it depends . Generally , I can not answer a ringing cellphoen that is not my except for my parents .
I do not like use other's thing without other's permission .
at the same time , I do not like others use my things without my permission .
@neelimaravi (1793)
• India
26 Oct 09
I never pick the phone ever, this is not a good manners also, if they tell me to pick me up then only i will receive the phone, otherwise i won't touch also. thanks have a nice day.
1 person likes this
@neelimaravi (1793)
• India
19 Apr 10
Thanyou ratyz...i respect people. have a nice day.
1 person likes this
@mzz663 (2772)
• United States
26 Oct 09
I won't answer someone else's cell phone if I know that they are close and coming back, I figure they have voice mail and if the caller needs to leave a message, they'll leave a message.
If there's a cell phone and no one around it and it looks like the owner may have lost it, I 'll answer it. I know a lot of people that have lost cell phones and a call to it, with someone else answering it is how it was returned.
1 person likes this
@ratyz5 (7808)
• Philippines
19 Apr 10
You are right about that nice feature with mobile phones. Callers who can't really get to contact the one that they are trying to call can leave a voice mail if the phone has that feature or their calls would get registered to the phone's log records for the owner to see when they get back.
Nice point with how lost phones get returned. That is a possibility. Unfortunately, that is not common, especially when the lot phone is really new and expensive. 
@applefreak (3130)
• Singapore
29 Oct 09
I only answer three ringing phones. One is of course my personal mobile phone. The other two are both landlines. One is my office direct line and the other is my home phone. I will not answer any other phones, mobile or landline, when they ring. Similarly, I don't expect anyone else to answer my personal mobile phone or direct office line. Anyone who calls either of these phones are obviously looking for me. If I am not around to answer the call, the caller will know that I am not available. There is nothing that anyone picking up the phone can do. Even if the caller's number is not displayed, they will call me back if it is required. This is a matter of respecting another person's privacy. 
@ratyz5 (7808)
• Philippines
19 Apr 10
So that is the setup that you have. You only answer to those phones and no one else's. That is true, we should really put first one's privacy when it comes to personal matters like that.
Callers would understand, as they should, that the one they are trying to contact is not available when their calls don't get answered. They can call again anyway after all.
Thanks for sharing, applefreak 
@bjcyrix (6901)
• Philippines
30 Oct 09
Landlines... well, I avoid answering the phone myself. It wouldnt be for me anyway, but of course if I was the one closest to the phone, not busy enough to take the call, or the only one at home then, I will answer it.
As for cellphones, I never answer other people's phones unless they ask me to. Most people dont part with their phones for that long anyway. If the owner left for an indefinite period of time and his/her phone is insistently ringing, I would get the phone and try to look for the owner then give it to them so they can answer it themselves. If they were tied up with something, they'll be bound to ask me to answer for them.
I consider cellphones as extremely private properties. I also never touch others' phones unless I have permission from them, Im very close to the owner, or Im that comfortable with the owner.
@ratyz5 (7808)
• Philippines
19 Apr 10
Hmmm, its been that long since I got to finally reach this page to reply I guess..
Yeah, people treat mobile phones as something personal which true. We mostly have some important things and information stored on our phones, and with its multimedia capabilities, taking pictures, capturing videos so on with its other features, we sometimes value it more than just a gadget.
Primarily for communication purposes, cellphones have already evolved to such a state that it goes with fashion, a status symbol and neccessity for personal and business reasons.
Anyway, why did I mention those things? 
I also try to avoid answering the phone. They are rarely for me anyway. For mobile pones, I also don't answer them if its not mine. Some colleagues of mine would ask me to answer the phone for them but, I really don't do that at home since nobody asks me to do that except for the landline.
I would often speak in English when my colleagues would ask me to answer their mobile phones for them. That way, I think that the caller would be surprised and they would know what time not to call them.
Yeah, people treat mobile phones as something personal which true. We mostly have some important things and information stored on our phones, and with its multimedia capabilities, taking pictures, capturing videos so on with its other features, we sometimes value it more than just a gadget.
Primarily for communication purposes, cellphones have already evolved to such a state that it goes with fashion, a status symbol and neccessity for personal and business reasons.
Anyway, why did I mention those things?
I also try to avoid answering the phone. They are rarely for me anyway. For mobile pones, I also don't answer them if its not mine. Some colleagues of mine would ask me to answer the phone for them but, I really don't do that at home since nobody asks me to do that except for the landline.
I would often speak in English when my colleagues would ask me to answer their mobile phones for them. That way, I think that the caller would be surprised and they would know what time not to call them. 
@mysticmaggie (2498)
• United States
26 Oct 09
No, I wouldn't. The cellphone is just like mail - private. The call should be allowed to go into the message center. Whether I know the calling party or not is not the question. Whether I respect the party who owns the telephone is. Unless they have given specific approval for me to answer their telephone, I should keep my nose out of their business.
1 person likes this
@ratyz5 (7808)
• Philippines
19 Apr 10
Yeah, being allowed to answer the phone of someone should be a priority. Even when those who are not around would come back and say, "You could've just answered and told them that I was not here.." it would already be understood since they were not around to answer the calls that are intended for them. The caller would understand that anyway.
The owner of the phones would know who called anyway as missed calls get registered to their mobile phones.
@ratyz5 (7808)
• Philippines
14 Apr 10
Yeah, we sometimes do that.
Most of the time, I would even ask if they have a message and they would just say that they would just call again later for the person.. and that's on the land line.. I have never really done a similar thing on a mobile phone though..
@chavez_33 (2)
• Philippines
26 Oct 09
for me i will answered the call even though the owner is not yet around coz if it is important to be know it.
@rahiil455 (8)
• Pakistan
26 Oct 09
I do agree with this coment, as there may be some very important one call for the person.
1 person likes this
@yan_blue8 (1437)
• Philippines
2 Nov 09
I always respect people's "personal" belongings and one of them is the cellphone. Even if it is my partner's phone, and its ringing, i will NOT answer it. Caller may tend to call him back again later on or when he gets back, I'm sure he will call the caller back. :)Still, I am not answering, and i really WILL NOT answer ANY cellphone/s that isn't mine, even if it is own by my sister, mom, or any part of the family unless she/he told me to.
1 person likes this
@ratyz5 (7808)
• Philippines
14 Apr 10
Yeah, cellphones or mobile phones now a days have become really part of such things that we consider to be personal.
Way back, it was similar to wallets or purses, well even up to now but, the comparison between that and cellphones have really become similar (^_^")
@joy358 (491)
• Philippines
26 Oct 09
Not unless the owner asked me to answer his/her cell phone if it rings or if the cell phone belongs to a member of my family. Personally, I do not like other people to answer my cellphone coz' its like an invasion of my privacy so I usually give them the same courtesy. Also, I don't really get the logic of answering the cellphone just to tell the caller that the owner is unavailable, they will only be charged needlessly. Usually, the one calling would just end the call if nobody answers and then just call again later or the owner will call them since a missed call is usually registered. This is more practical in my opinion.
1 person likes this
@ratyz5 (7808)
• Philippines
19 Apr 10
I agree, that is indeed more pratical than to answer the phone while the real owner is not available at the time. Calls will get registered and the owner would get to view recent calls that they missed. Callers would understand, as they should, that if their calls don't get answered, the one that they are trying to contact must be occupied with something.
Thanks for sharing, joy358
@ratyz5 (7808)
• Philippines
19 Apr 10
Yes, that is a good point to consider. The call might really be important that they end up making calls one after another. Perhaps you are close to the owner of the mobile phone which doesn't make it that difficult for you? Some people, like me, hesitate on answering ringing mobile phones that aren't mine, unless permitted to.
When answering a mobile phone that had been ringing for a couple of times, I sometimes get worried that someone on the other end would start with some expression like, "Finally! I got to get hold of you! What are you doing, avoiding my call??" Of course, I would try to explain the situation that the person whom they are looking or trying to contact is not available, they might reply in an accusing way though, "Give the phone to (name of person) right now."
Well, it does happen.. but, I haven't had that for a long while (^_^")
@murtuza89 (513)
• India
26 Oct 09
I prefer not to pickup calls which are not for me.
Even if there is nobody to pick up the call, I wont pick it up. I dont like to talk with people on phone. It is very bad for health.
I prefer to keep minimum conversation on cellphones. So I avoid picking up the phone.
1 person likes this
@ratyz5 (7808)
• Philippines
19 Apr 10
I understand not answering calls that are not for you but, just not clear with talking with people on the phone can be very bad for your health..
I have colleagues who often have conversation on the phone, I guess they enjoy talking with those who are really far away from them. Catching up and all the routine that they do when they have their exchanges.
I guess you just send text messages on your mobile phone?
@doryvien (2284)
• United States
26 Oct 09
HI Ratzy,
It depends. I think it's improper to answer someone's phone unless the owner asked you to do so. If it's my husband's or my kids' cell phone, I will answer it coz I know they wouldn't want to miss any call. As for me, I won't mind if people close to me answer my phone for me for the same reason, I don't want to miss an important call.
1 person likes this
@ratyz5 (7808)
• Philippines
19 Apr 10
Hello doryvein
That is true, if we are really close to those who often leave their phones unattended, it does seem good to answer their phones for them, get some information and tell the owner of the phone what they missed.
It is somewhat a good gesture for the caller as well so that they won't have to wait for a long while in calling.
Thanks!
@behappyalways (93)
• India
26 Oct 09
Hello
I never answer if it is not my cell phone.
I feel it is not a decent behaviour too.
If they ask us to attend their calls as they are not avaialable, its okay for me to attend. I am bothered ..Even if my calls are answered by some one also with out intimation..
Thanks
BHA
1 person likes this
@ratyz5 (7808)
• Philippines
19 Apr 10
It really depends on being close to those that are not around when their mobile phones are ringing. If we are there but, those who own the phone aren't there to answer the call, we might answer their calls or not.
Some people are okay when other people that they really know answer their phones yet, there are times when calls are really important that it should be answered.
Then again, their is also an issue with privacy..
@jen20ixm (165)
• Philippines
26 Oct 09
at home, when my uncle's family used to stay with us, cellphone is everwhere, me and brothers own 2-3 cellphone each (for different network porposes) and sometimes our ringtone would be exactly the same, and imagine how hard for us to find whose phone is ringing and one would ended answering cellpone that isnt her/him. in my house, we believe in privacy, we dont just pick a ringing phone just answered it, my when one shouted to answer it, we answer it.
@ratyz5 (7808)
• Philippines
19 Apr 10
Hmmm, that sounds really confusing, especially one is expecting an important call. Why not have each phone with different ring tones so that you would easily know whose phone is ringing. Good thing about phones these days is that you can actually set what kind of ring tone would play for a particular contact who is calling you. They didn't have that kind of feature before on earlier phones. Even the thumb nail image of the caller can also be shown to make it easier to identify who is calling too.
Yeah, if we get told to answer a ringing phone by someone who is close to us, I guess that is okay.
