When the Private Number calls

greenmachine88

I can't believe people are too scared to answer a call from a withheld number.

GopErthike

greenmachine88 wrote: »

I can't believe people are too scared to answer a call from a withheld number.

This makes me laugh, I don't think anyone is scared, and if you think they are well then I think you miss the point.

liah

It's amazing me how over some people's heads the whole not answering private numbers thing has gone.

It is NOT due to paranoia or fear. Read the thread for god's sake.

VinnyTGM

I rarely get called by a private number, but when I do I let them ring a few times before answering.

Jeanious

Abrasax wrote: »

I grew up before these new-fangled caller I.D. "telephone" thingies came out. Nobody knew who was calling who anybody. It wasn't a big deal then.
Why is it now?

FYP!

Technological progress dude.

Technocentral

Just go into call diverts on your mobile and (on nokias at any rate) activate divert unanswered calls to a number that doesn't exist, that way you can answer if you like or let it go to the "this number does not exist " automatic message. Also if you divert out of reach ones when phone is off they will get that same message. You may miss out on messages but its an option.

kelle

Many moons ago there was no caller ID and you didn't know who you were answering the phone to when you picked up the receiver. I never experienced caller ID until i got my first mobile phone in 1999, then my parents got it on their landline in 2002. Now it is standard.

God, how would a lot of you on this forum have managed in those days?

javaboy

As said already, it's not about paranoia or fear. Having caller id is like having a peephole on your door. If you haven't got one, you'll answer the door to anyone. But if you do have one and the person ringing your bell is covering their face, would you answer?

Obviously the analogy's not perfect. There's more danger in opening your door than in answering your phone. But the basic principle's the same.

I can understand people not wanting to talk to someone who is deliberately hiding their identity. If I answer the phone to a private number or a number I don't recognise, I expect the person to tell me who they are. If they don't I won't entertain them. The people who don't answer private numbers are simply taking that principle to the next level.

MickShamrock

I never answer private numbers.

starlit

when the private number calls I rarely answer or else I just hang up!

PrettyBoy

greenmachine88 wrote: »

I can't believe people are too scared to answer a call from a withheld number.

I can't believe people are too scared to call someone with their number shown.

I_AmThe_Walrus

When a private number calls my phone, I like to play a little game where I pretend I can't hear them and say "one moment until I go outside for better coverage". Next, I'll keep them waiting no more than six minutes. Now, the six minutes is the crucial part. Under six won't signifigantly waste their credit enough to stop calling me but on the other hand, over six minutes will leave them frustrated.

Tar.Aldarion

I answer because I a not 78 and I know how to hang up.

Ptotty

Anyone here who does Not answer private numbers will never know when their loved one's are in trouble or in need of their assistance.
As when loved ones lives are in danger.
i.e Emergency Services looking to contact Next of Kin!
Or your loved ones have been Kidnapped and held for ransom!

How will you feel then knowing if only you had of answered that dam private number,maybe you could have said your last good bye.
Or been able to give the kidnappers what they asked for.
???
If only....if only....Dam :eek:

qwertplaywert

My attitude with phones has gotten incredibly lazy lately; If I am in the same room as the phone and it goes off, I will answer, but if its another room, I will leave it.
Just remember the motto: If its important, they will ring twice

Our man in Havana

Ptotty wrote: »

Anyone here who does Not answer private numbers will never know when their loved one's are in trouble or in need of their assistance.
As when loved ones lives are in danger.
i.e Emergency Services looking to contact Next of Kin!
Or your loved ones have been Kidnapped and held for ransom!

How will you feel then knowing if only you had of answered that dam private number,maybe you could have said your last good bye.
Or been able to give the kidnappers what they asked for.
???
If only....if only....Dam :eek:

They can leave a fricking message.

babyfratelli_x

I can see where people are coming from not answering private numbers... To be honest it annoys me when i see "number witheld" coming up, bt I have no voicemail set up, and i know people could be ringing from a blocked housephone, therefore cant leave a txt msg, so curiosity usually get the better of me and i answer....:rolleyes:

I used to not answer, then i would wonder who it was when they didnt ring back and Id be like "dammnit, wonder who it was!"

never anything exciting anyway, usually just the bank or sometimes my aunt, whose house number is witheld.

coffeelover

I refuse to answer private calls.
Its usually people who know that u dont want to talk to them :mad:

Wolflikeme

No number can hide from this wolf.

But I don't answer from numbers I don't know. They can leave a message.

TanG411

Well the last three calls I received which came up as private were to tell me I won a competition.

It's true, I entered the competitions and I won.

So I prefer private numbers than the usual, 'Oh, X is ringing me'. Private numbers are what makes phones worth having in the first place.

PrettyBoy

Larkin91 wrote: »

Well the last three calls I received which came up as private were to tell me I won a competition.

How many competitions do you enter in, say, a month?

TanG411

PrettyBoy wrote: »

How many competitions do you enter in, say, a month?

Whenever I come across one, I just take the chance and go for it. I enter roughly 5 a month maybe?

Novella

I never put my phone on private, and I never answer calls from private numbers either. No one I'd ever wanna talk to rings me from a number I wouldn't recognise, so private number pretty much means it is someone I don't want to speak to. If, on the off-chance, it's important, they can leave a message.

Rabies

I usually answer them.
My parents landline is private, work's alarm company call from a private number too and have to answer if I can.

People can send a text if they really want me and I don't answer.
I never answer a phone between 6am-3pm unless its the owner.
Never check my voice mail.
Leave a text with what you're after and I'll call back or text if its not imortant.

PrettyBoy

Larkin91 wrote: »

Whenever I come across one, I just take the chance and go for it. I enter roughly 5 a month maybe?

That's pretty sweet considering you've won a few, must start entering some myself but I never really come across any..

Bob Z

Abrasax wrote: »

I never understand why people don't answer private numbers.
Do they think the caller is going to put a curse on them or something?

well you can never be sure

bytey

only the greatest morons on the planet answer private number calls.

if you wont id , fcuk you

if you cant id, leave a message

Reeni

I can't understand why people won't answer a private number. Everytime I have to ring someone and my phone is dead/not on me etc and I ring off someone elses phone, I don't get an answer. Just answer the bloody phone! If its someone you don't want to talk to then press the little red button and hang up!!