Phone Phobia
Phone Phobia
#0Phone Phobia
Posted: 11/15/04 at 7:24pm
Okay, so I can talk well online, I can usually talk pretty well in person, but hand me phone with a person on the other end, and I totally clam up.
Anyone else have this problem?
#1re: Phone Phobia
Posted: 11/15/04 at 7:32pmYES I know exactly what you mean...Talking on the phone is so much pressure for me because I feel like I have to keep thinking of things to say to avoid any pauses in the conversation. Ugh, i need help.
#2re: Phone Phobia
Posted: 11/15/04 at 7:34pm
Exactly!
This is totally random, but a while ago I went out with a guy who could not make conversation at all. He'd call me every single day and then sit there and make awkward "um" noises until I thought of something to say. Not fun.
#3re: Phone Phobia
Posted: 11/15/04 at 7:39pmI have this problem as well! Awkward silences drive me crazy, and over the phone it's horrible! I'm constantly thinking of really random questions and comments to keep the conversation going, and it drives me nuts. There are only certain people I can talk to on the phone without that happening.
Chrysanthemum62001
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/14/04
#6re: Phone Phobia
Posted: 11/15/04 at 7:45pmI do it too, and I don't know why. It's not that I hate talking on the phone, but for some reason it's just awkward. And when it's time to order take out, I always make my roommate do it.
#7re: Phone Phobia
Posted: 11/15/04 at 7:46pmThe phone is evil. Especially cuz now I'm having flashbacks to "Telephone Hour" in Bye Bye Birdie last year.
Ellie3
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/04
#8re: Phone Phobia
Posted: 11/15/04 at 7:48pmAck I hate the awkward phone converstions. My cellphone got smashed a while back, and I was without it for over a week. I never felt so liberated!!!!!!!!!Smash your phones, people!
#9re: Phone Phobia
Posted: 11/15/04 at 8:06pmSee, it's just me, but I can sit on the phone and have both people be totally silent for an hour. But if I don't know them that well, or don't like them a lot, I'm having to bring up topics for discussion.
eponine88
Broadway Star Joined: 12/8/03
#10re: Phone Phobia
Posted: 11/15/04 at 8:07pm
I absolutely hate using the telephone for some strange reason. A few years ago, I was so scared of calling people I had my sister do it for me, and she would agree so long as she could pretend to be me. Most of the people she called never noticed the difference....
I'm not quite that bad anymore, but I would rather communicate in person, online, or even in a letter (lol) than by phone.
Chloe
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/28/04
#11re: Phone Phobia
Posted: 11/15/04 at 8:20pmGod, I thought I was the only one. I have a reluctance to make calls. Once I do, I'm okay, and I don't mind when other people call me, but getting myself to sit down and call is difficult.
#12re: Phone Phobia
Posted: 11/15/04 at 8:20pm
LOL! I have the exact same problem. I have the biggest phone complex... I'm so scared to call people. 
#13re: Phone Phobia
Posted: 11/15/04 at 8:22pmLol, Emcee,it's a wonder we managed to meet up...
#14re: Phone Phobia
Posted: 11/15/04 at 8:25pmI was thinking about that when I saw that you posted this. We may have just both been like "no. I can't do it!"
#15re: Phone Phobia
Posted: 11/15/04 at 8:27pm
yeah, well, my lovely cell tried to decide that for us...but I foiled it's evil plot!
::cackles::
Sorry...this whole audition thing is driving me just a tad batty.
Beanmatt
Chorus Member Joined: 5/16/03
#16re: Phone Phobia
Posted: 11/15/04 at 10:51pmReading through this thread I suddenly got the feeling like I was at some sort of support group...to know there are others! I almost always refuse to make phone calls (people calling me is fine, but even then sometimes I'll let the machine get it and then call them back if it's important enough). Everyone I know thinks I'm crazy...I nearly have a panic attack calling to order pizza. :) I wonder if there's an official name for this? Telephobia? Bellophobia? Ha. Glad I read this thread - so relieved!
#17re: Phone Phobia
Posted: 11/15/04 at 10:56pmWhile I wouldn't say I'm scared of it, I will say I have been known to intentionally call when I know I'll get someone's machine or voice mail. I hate having phone conversations, I just hate it. Text my cell all you want but please don't call me if you don't have to because odds are, no matter how much I love you, I just HATE the telephone. Whenever one of my friends IMs me and says "I need to tell you a story, can I call you?" I cringe and contemplate saying no.
#18re: Phone Phobia
Posted: 11/16/04 at 4:45pmI have this problem too.
#19re: Phone Phobia
Posted: 11/16/04 at 5:00pmYea I hate making phone calls as well, but I especially hate leaving messages on people's answering machine. Like with all this technology-- AIM, email, text messaging etc, I can't stand talking on the phone. I'd rather just talk to them in person because for some reason that isn't as bad as the phone. Haha is it safe to say that we are all nut cases?
#20re: Phone Phobia
Posted: 11/16/04 at 5:13pmI hate talking on the phone. Especially those friends who call you up for no reason and then sit there in silence expecting you to hold up the entire conversation. It drives me crazy!
insomniak
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/7/04
#21re: Phone Phobia
Posted: 11/16/04 at 5:23pmI'm not alone! Thank God. I really, really hate to call people for any reason. It's just awkward, like you're forcing them to talk to you. The worst is when it's a stranger and you have to call them for a non-social purpose. That's just wierd.
#22re: Phone Phobia
Posted: 11/16/04 at 8:47pm::shudders::
#23re: Phone Phobia
Posted: 11/16/04 at 8:59pm
"I will say I have been known to intentionally call when I know I'll get someone's machine or voice mail."
I am pathetically guilty of that.
#24re: Phone Phobia
Posted: 11/16/04 at 9:01pmI especially love cell phones for the reason that you are less likely to get someone other than the person you are calling. I hate that. Especially if you can't tell whether the person who picks up the phone is indeed the one you want to talk to.
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