sometimes I just don't want to pick up the phone

clorissa, you are definately not alone. Not only do I do this very thing sometimes, I do it quite often. Last night, after a somewhat stressful day ( I seem to get those a lot ) I wanted to get caught up on my emails and other online things. The phone rang. It was my friend and neighbor across the street. Like you mentioned in your post, it was something trivial and absolutely meaningless to me. I let her talk on my answering machine and never called back. Later my goof ball aunt calls. Same thing - I let her talk to her hearts' content on the machine. Today, I turned the ringer off. If we're being rude, so be it. I personlly don't like the phone at all.

I don't see anything wrong with screening calls. I have always needed my alone time and most people don't understand this. Most people actually need others around and really hate it if they are alone and don't understand why anyone would want or need to be alone. With the way cell phones have become an everyday part of our lives and making us available 24/7, I think it essential to not answer every call or we wouldn't get anything done. That is if yours rings as much as mine does. People can really take advantage of the convenience of which they can contact us through cell phones. Some of them can get really indignant or offended of you don't answer their every call but how can they expect us to be available all the time? I can still remember the days when cell phones were not used. If we were in the car or fishing or working outside or whatever; then there was no way at all to get in contact with us.

The world of instant communication can be overwhelming and I don't think ignoring a phone call is wrong. One time my son called me while I was in the dressing room of a department store. I was stuck in a blouse I was trying on, but still picked up the cell phone.(with great difficulty) Sometimes I hate my cellphone. I'm out shopping and the world ceases to exist outside of my experience. Then the phone rings and I feel as if I have no privacy. I agree with you 100%. However, in my case, I feel obligated to answer phone calls. Only the most important people in my life have my cell phone number and if they're calling me, I know they need me. Cell phones have changed the world, don't you agree?

I like to avoid some people as they mostly create trouble for me.Mostly my friends do that to me.So most of the time I like to avoid their calls.I just keep my mobile phone in the silent mode and go for sleep or take rest.I keep a separate mobile number which only my family member knows and I never avoid there calls.

I do this a lot. If I am busy, want to be left alone or just don't feel like talking, I won't answer the phone.

I sometimes do the same thing as you do, especially if I was really tired after work. I will answer all incoming calls to my cell phone without exception. might be an important call! :

I feel the same way someimes. People are so full of drama and I understan the need to get it out and talk to a friend. But sometimes you an only deal with so much before you have to have a break. My daughter has gotten so stressd about things like this that I've seen her throw her phone and say she didn't want to talk to anyone. It gets that bad and I don't understand why people can't understand why someone even their best friend has to have a break from drama sometimes.

On cell phones, there is a little thing called "power button". Use it. If you don't feel like answering your phone, don't. There's a service that comes with your cell phone. It's called "voice-mail". It's there for a reason. When I wanna be left alone, I'd turn my phone to silent & put it away. Interestingly enough, sometimes that works, too. I do have landline phone because I have DSL for internet service. I have a phone attatched in the kitchen wall & I have answering machine. Anybody who's important to me calls me on my cell phone. So basically, I have my landline phone's ringer turned off. I get work related phone calls sometimes & I ignore them if I don't feel like being bothered.

Hi there, I personally thank you for coming up with this discussion.I think we live in a world where communication is very easy.So that means you are easy to be reached whenever needed.The distance is not thousand of miles away but only a phone call.So this is something that is sometimes unbearable.I experience the same problem with my friends.They just dont have a respect of my personal life.They send me a call even at midnight while i am sleeping.I always try to answer not to hurt them but i just cant stand this situation anymore.So the best solution would be to tell them kindly that you dont want to be disturbed anytime they like and you have a life of your own that you live while at home.I will try to do that and i suggest you do the same.I hope it will work. Best Wishes

Yes I feel the same way this one girl calls non-stop and I have not answered for a week now and used to if I didn't answer she would be knocking on my door but I know if I were to answer either one she just wants something it was never just to talk and when I did answer she says nothing dang say something already you call enough times right?That's why I don't answer the phome other than that it is someone wanting you to buy something or whatever else.And there is days when I don't want to talk to anyone either.

Hi, In my view its not being rude but friends should also know that there are times when one wants to be onbly wiht himslef and not the whole universe. My family and friends know that I turn off my cell phone after 10:00pm every night. I also tell them to send me text messages instead of calling me, as I might not be able to reply to them and the only way when i am at work is to send me text.

mobile phne are usefl but sometimes they tire u a lot . i may be studying for exams & i find mobiles as very disturbing at those times it takes my nerves out my concentration is lost due to some unwantede msgs

Oh yeah! Looks like I find the one who speak the same language . LOL We are so much alike. I do exactly the same thing as you do.

Oh my goodness I am so glad I am not the only one who does this! It drives my family, especially my husband crazy!I call my cell phone my tracking device. The way I see it a few years ago when you were out people called your home phone and left a message, what is the difference from letting them go to your cell phone voice mail if you are trying to take some time for yourself. My husband and I can be sitting on the couch watching a movie and my cell will ring and I will ignore it. The whole time my husband is looking at me then the phone then me again finally he'll say are you going to get that and when I say no his response is generally "what if it's important" to which I say "then they'll try yours next and you'll answer". I'm sorry but the amount of important phone calls vs non-important phone calls is about 1:1000. I'll take my chances!

Yes I do and I would say everyone does I am lucky though as the Friends who do phone me know when I am having a sleep With my Disability I always have a sleep in the afternoon and my Friends know that so they will not ring at that time You might want to tell your Friends that you need some alone time and hopefully they will listen My Friends and I do not talk much on the Phone as we see each other on here so we wil only phone once a week or something like that

Yes, I feel the same I am not the person that likes to talk much and when I know who is calling I just don't pick up the phone. This is just when don't want to talk much. I the person leave a message I just respond back with a text message.

It is up to you. But I always pick up the phone which comes from my friends and family. I just ignore the phone calls which I don't know where they come from. I don't have these phone numbers in my address book. That means to say it is likely they are the sellers. So I won't pick up the unknown calls. I love China

When I am at home I sometimes just let whoever is calling leave a message on my answering machine. If they do not leave a message it is not important. I will listen to it and if I need to call right back then I will if not than I will wait until later on that day. If I go out I have my cellphone and will answer it because only my family members I want to have my number has it.

Yes, especially if i know that i am not expecting any important calls. I either dont answer it or hung up the phone so no ones gonna bother me. It is not like i dont wanna talk to them it is just that i want some time off for myself without being bothered. I really do appreciate if someone calls me whether it is important or not. Although sometimes i explain to them that if you're gonna call me asking what type of jeans you gonna wear, please dont! cause i effing gonna knock your head off.

I totally agree. Sometimes there is nothing quite like haivng your space to yourself and not having to talk to anyone. Its not being rude, its being human. Sometimes there is something to say about being left alone.