As for cell phones, I do have one. It’s completely outdated. A handful of people have the number, and it’s only there for emergency purposes. I don’t have a phone plan for this dinosaur; I just fill it up each month to keep it alive. And it may or may not ring once a month. Honest. Also, I have no idea what the latest and greatest is as far as cell phones are concerned, and would not in a million years join the texting fad.
What is it about the telephone that an introvert like me dislikes? Well, I’ve been giving this some thought lately, and although it’s difficult to explain, I will give it my best shot...
- I like to see someone’s facial expressions and body language when holding a conversation. The telephone robs me of this. I’d rather get together with someone where we can see each other.
- Although not all, most phone conversations are chit-chatty, which is equivalent to small talk, something I’m not keen on. Face to face get-togethers (when possible) offer an opportunity at more meaningful conversations.
- I like to think before I speak, and long pauses don’t go over well on the phone. If the other party on the phone is an extrovert, very talkative, or more aggressive, they fill in all those spaces and I struggle to get in a word or two. Because of this, many times I simply end up making sounds like uh-huh or mm-hmm instead of participating. Eventually this leads to boredom. Or a headache. Usually a headache.
- Phones feel intrusive. When they ring, I’m expected to drop whatever I’m focusing on and change directions. I’m not always willing to do that. Particularly when I’m in the middle of something.
- When I’m in need of quiet time, I do not have the mental energy for a telephone conversation. Especially if it’s going to be mostly small talk.
There are other reasons, of course, but these are some of the things that quickly come to find.
Do you enjoy talking on the phone?
O, I totally understand how you feel. I literally had the cellphone forced on me by my Mom and the hubs because I was pregnant with Ro. I hardly use it except to say things like "Becky has ballet today". The ringtone is off; as much as possible I just text rather than talk!
ReplyDeleteI don't mind having a phone on me when I'm out alone. It's useful in case there's a problem. But I wonder what we did before all this phone madness came about. Something we survived!
DeleteP.S. I have to admit it *is* handy for when you're arranging pickup times though lol
ReplyDeleteYes, it's very handy for that! :)
DeleteI use it daily speaking to my husband and sister and a few close friends. I just don't like talking to strangers on it. It's one of my favourite inventions and it still amazes me that I can hear and speak to someone clearly, even if they're thousands of miles away. What I like most about my mobile/cell phone is that I don't have to speak to anyone on it! I text them when it's convenient for me which is great because I prefer writing to speaking a lot of the time.
ReplyDeleteIt is an amazing invention, although I think people have become addicted to it with the cellphones. There are a handful of people who I really enjoy talking to, particularly because they live so far away, so it comes in handy for that.
DeleteThis was interesting. I never mind talking on the phone but some of the people I know can't stand it! My dad hates the phone lol.
ReplyDeleteI know some people that love chatting on the phone regularly. It would drive me crazy! LOL...
DeleteNope - don't enjoy the phone. You've really captured it here. When I'm home .. I'm in my zone. Getting a call usually disrupts that. I LOVE to meet up with a good friend and talk. But I hate small talk. I'm dreadfully bad at it. And when I say I like to talk it doesn't have to be all that deep - soulful stuff. I like that, but I'm good with just fun stuff. I just prefer it to be in reference to actual things, my friend's life ...
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you mean! When I talk to my daughter or my best friend, it's not deep, soulful stuff, but it is fun and interesting, and I really enjoy it. We talk about ourselves, our lives, things going on in the world, whatever, just fun stuff. Your comment is exactly how I feel!
DeleteI'm a firm believer that the telephone should be my servant, not my master. So when it rings, I first scan the call display to see who wants a piece of my time. If I don't want to talk to them, I let it go to voicemail and call them back later when I'm in the mood.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great way to put it, Debra! I think a lot of people have become servants to their phone (or phones). I let a lot of calls go to voicemail, too. There's no other way for me.
DeleteI am with you on this one, Martha! I make exceptions to having a long phone calls for a couple of people. My brother (who lives 4 hours away), my sister (who lives 6 hours away) and a really good friend who moved to PEI. My friend in PEI doesn't like talking on the phone either. We refer to our conversations as our "walks" which we enjoyed when she lived here. Other than with these few people, I am happy to make the phone calls short and sweet....deal with the business at hand, make a date to meet with whoever and move on. I definitely agree with Debra and will return calls when I'm in the mood.
ReplyDeleteI am grateful to be able to talk to my family that lives far away, but other than that, I'd rather see people in person and enjoy some time together. Talking on the phone is tiresome!
DeleteMy cellphone is usually turned off, and almost no one has the number. Most of the time, I can't remember where I left it, and have to go looking. I forget to charge it up, so it's usually dead when I do need it. Mostly, I use it to call my wife from a store to get clarification on something she's asked me to pick up. Definitely not part of the cellphone generation.
ReplyDeleteI suspect there are very few of us that are not plugged in all the time. My own kids are part of the cellphone generation. They cannot live without the darn thing!
DeleteI'm not much of a phone person.
ReplyDeleteThere are certainly enough of us!
DeleteI see we have the same kind of 'cellphone plan'! I have learned form a 'particular introvert' how to scan phone calls and not just run and answer it! I must say it is better this way.
ReplyDeleteLove the donkey and trhe barn photos, Martha! Nice job.
I don't care for cell phones, Jim, at all! When I'm out and about enjoying myself, surrounded by the beauty of nature, there's a reason why I'm so relaxed ---- I'm disconnected from the world! So why on earth would I want to be contacted 24/7 by that annoying instrument? I want that quiet time! LOL...
DeleteGlad you liked the photos, Jim. I love running across these beautiful animals.
NOPE!!!!!!
ReplyDeletePhones are an unnecessary fixture which I avoid at all costs. I am totally familiar with how to manouevre a conversation because of my previous jobs required 'mucho' talking on the phone. When I would get home I would not want to talk on the phone, it was too much for my head and the small talk...aaargh!!!
So I've learned to be patient when the phone rings(to some degree) but when I know it's a sales call...watch out if you have tricked me, just watch out!
With all this aside....I love the photos today...they seemed to put the phone issue to rest!!
thanks!
Ron
How do us introverts end up with jobs that have us talking on the phone for hours on end! Must be some kind of karma we're paying...hahahaha...
DeleteAs for the photos, how can the phone issue not be put to rest with donkeys? They are so cute.
I hate phones. The rings are so obtrusive. When the phone starts to ring I am immediately out of relax mode. If I could, I would smash that phone into a million bits. But it is the only way I can keep in touch with my parents who are on long ways away.
ReplyDeleteYes, they certainly are intrusive. They do come in handy for loved ones that live far away. I'm in the same boat with my own family, and the phone is handy for that.
DeleteI often wonder if talking on the phone would be more popular if texting had been invented first. (I know you probably don't text but any talk f telephones gets me in a frenzy so I guess I'mm amazed I made a rational comment here. ha ha)
ReplyDeleteHahaha...yes, I believe that phone talk must drive you batty...what with all the trouble you've had!
DeleteI also hate phones. I never wanted to talk on or answer the phone when I was a kid. I am thrilled that now we have caller ID and answering systems. I only use my cell phone for emergencies and almost no one has my number! Perfect!
ReplyDeleteCaller ID is quite handy if you want to screen your calls. And answering systems were an answer to my prayers...hahaha...
DeleteI was terrified of phones until I started working - then, I could no longer avoid answering it, and found that answering isn't that bad (still don't like actively calling people though). And it helps that I can follow a mental script.
ReplyDeleteI have an ancient mobile phone too. Not sure I'll even replace it when it finally dies. I never take it with me anyway.
I had a phone job once, too, and spent the entire day answering calls and talking to people. I managed fine, but my reluctance to spend more time than necessary outside of work never changed!
DeleteYou nailed it on the head why most of us introverts can't stand phones. I'm guilty too of many of the things you posted. This would be a great post for an extrovert to read. Thank you :)
ReplyDeleteYou are right. Introverts already know these things. It's the extroverts that should be reading this!
DeleteI've already been thinking, the next time someone asks me why I don't like phone calls, I'll direct them to your post, Martha. (And add that I often find it really hard to understand names and such, especially when there is background noise.)
DeleteI think extroverts have a very hard time understanding introverts. We are somewhat strange to them! I have a brother who is as extroverted as they get and he just can't understand my absolute need to be disconnected at times. He NEEDS to be around people as much as possible, and the phone is his best friend! I'd go crazy living his life! LOL...
DeleteI found your this post while searching for some related information on blog search...Its a good post..keep posting and update the information. 0800 business lines
ReplyDelete