How many of you avoid phone calls?
355894
I am currently able to pay my bills, however I lived many years under the poverty level while both myself and my husband worked fulltime jobs. I understand completely the horrid feeling of not having enough money to put food on the table of make a rent payment some months. Most months I would have to "borrow" from my father. I did not have the ability to pay my father back, so I now have been "gifted" those amounts. I was lucky to have a father who could help out in such desperate times of need. However, we also did not have health insurance, and my husband became disabled. We racked up lots of medical bills we just could not pay at that time. \n\nThe bill collectors began calling at all hours of the day and night. They would leave harrassing phone calls on the anwering system. This was before there was law stopping such behaviors. They would say such horridly hurtfull and plain mean statements, calling us deadbeats, irresponsible, theives, corrupt people who did not think we had the same responsibility to pay our debts others in soceity did. That we were bad people and lazy, to get jobs and be responsible adults who did not take advantage of others and deprive them of their rightfull payments. That saying we need to feed and house our children was not an excuse as those we were not paying had families too, and by not paying we were taking the food and housing away from their families. (which was not true as these folks make massive amount of money, but that is not a reason to not pay, they still deserve payment for services rendered like anyone else). Basically these phone calls became so harrassing I had to unplug my phone.\n\nI think you should not answer these calls. You already know your financial condition far better than those bill collectors. They do not care about you or your family, they do not give a darn about whether or not your children will still be able to eat if you bow to their rediculous demands. So, stop answering the phone and trying to explain your situation. They do not care and will only argue with you and basically make your life much more stressfull than it is now. \n\nThere are thirty million families in America currently living under the poverty level. The vast majority of these families have two working parents who are both receiving minimum wage for their labor. Most of these families do not have health insurance and are an illness or injury away from losing everything. \n\nThere is such a misconception of our working poor. Many think it is a simple matter of going out and finding a better paying job, or obtaining more education and them obtaining a higher paying job with benifits. Many think these people are willing to stay in the state they are currently in due to lack of drive to acheive more. \n\nThe truth of the matter is this: Currently a family of two fulltime employed parents working minimum wage jobs spend one fith of their income on just the gas they need in their car each month. A study which was aired recently on an Operah show demonstrated that out of a weeks pay it takes working one full day to pay for the weekly gas for the one car owned. If they are lucky enough to own a car. That is one fith of earnings. \n\nCurrently, we are not suppose to pay more than one third of our monthly income on the major expense of rent and utilities, yet it requires one fith of income to put gas in the family car! \n\nFederal minimum wage is currently $5.15. With both parents working 40 hour weeks that is a gross income of $1,468.00 monthly! Currently rent alone in my area is an average $900.00. That is 61% of the family monthly income. This figuare does not include utilities, food, clothing or medical expreses, or the gas and maintanence for the car! \n\nMany families are forced into sharing living quarters. They have to either move in with family or share the rent with another family just to make it. In a society which prizes self suffencency, we do not have a system in place whic
945650
NO you're exercising your right to communicate in your preferred means of communication!  I work in telesales so can associate with the 'wanting to get away from the phone' thing!
801647
I can't stand pathological liars.  I also can't stand when I call someone on their cell phone and it goes straight to voice mail.  Also, I hate it when men use the toilet, leave the toilet seat up, and I find pee all over.  That's gross.
570811
It is a bit rude to use someone else's phone to make a call wtihout asking.\n\nI would keep a wary eye on this one.
599867
I would answer a call ( I know you're not supposed to ) but I wouldn't do the others, if I was by myself.\n\nIf someone was with me, I'd have them answer the phone, and call someone back that I'd hung up on.  But I still would not do 2.
709758
It is extremely bothersome! Here is a web site where you can go to be put on the "do not call" list www.donotcall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222
151404
Get privacy manager. That usually stops the unwanted call. And if it doesn't they have to tell you who is calling. An operator comes on the phone and asks you if you want to accept the call or no. That has stopped a ton of unwanted calls at my house.
311558
just dont do it by phone.
125130
You can. In the morning call you cell phone service provider and tell them you do not want to accept calls from that number.
866255
Block the other persons number!!
923402
god yes \n\nu have no idea\n\nand im a telemarketer, so its even worse cuz there's a CONSTANT routine at work. CONSTANT!!
723025
You can right now, but I'm not using it and I won't. I don't want people to see the stupid stuff I do while I talk on the phone.
602140
my favorite line to telemarketers is to tell them im busy right now and if they will give me there home phone number i will call back. when they say no, i say oh i guess you dont like people bothering you at home either. and then i hang up.
1081963
you can call your phone carrier/company and tell them that you don't want so-and-so calling you and you would like their number blocked
29920
Hard one. I hate talking on the phone to most everyone. I would have to say my brother. We usually get right to the point or if we do talk long, it is not bullshitting around.
208176
Yes, unfortunately I used to be one, during one summer when I was a student, long time ago!  They are just people, and are just doing their job!  There is always a boss behind those telemarketers you know!  It sucks, I know, especially because they are trying to sell you things that you do not want!  Hey, that gives me an idea, what if telemarketers tried to sell you the stuff you actually wanted, and at a discount price!  If they did that instead, man, I would not be able to wait for them to call me!  But as it stands now, it is unfortunate!  Hold on, my phone is ringing...Hello?...Oh, no, not the telemarketers again!  Click!  Ok, where was I...oh, how unfortunate, for us, and them!
481438
I love my cell phone and now I don't have a land line at home. Like anything, I think it can be abused or overused. I think its very rude to be dealing with a customer or walking with someone and be on the phone with someone else.