When the Private Number calls

tman · 01-07-2010 08:31PM

My ma's number has annoyingly come up as a private number for as long as I've had a mobile, so I've always instinctively just answered them to avoid costly callbacks (I'm such a tightarse!:p)

Pisses me off when people do it by choice though

stovelid · 01-07-2010 08:33PM

I have to answer them as my parents have an unlisted number.

Plus it might be a call from outside the country.

**Timbuk2** · 01-07-2010 08:36PM

I answered a private call the other day. It turns out it was Vodafone. They asked me if I was happy with my account, and asked me to verify that I am me by stating my date of birth and address. They then offered to extend my 'Free texts to any network' for 30 days as if I had topped up by €20. I accepted, and I now have free texts for 30 days!

Had I ignored the private number, I would not have free texts and would be still paying 13c per message.

akamossy · 01-07-2010 08:41PM

Nope I never answer private number, if it's important they will leave a message

Edgedinblue · 01-07-2010 08:46PM

Parents house phone is private number. but i usually know when my parents are going to ring, i usually ring there mobiles, scream "ring me back!" as fast as possible and hang up, so then i wait for the private number to pop up. apart from that i refuse to answer private numbers! i hate the thought of having to talk to someone i dont want to speak to or am avoiding

shinikins · 01-07-2010 08:49PM

Caoimhín wrote: »

Oooooh, i want a stalker, give her my number...

Lol if i knew who it was that was calling i'd be sorted!! And if you like abuse and calls at all times of the day and night, then your very welcome to it!!

gogo · 01-07-2010 08:50PM

Boskowski wrote: »

In America people now get caller monitoring. Like you ring that person and a machine talks to you first where you have to leave your name and intent and then press a key or something. So that the person being called can screen the incoming call first without actually having to interact with someone. I should actually start selling those what with the huge number of paranoids on this forum alone.

Pretty fvckin sad really. And very American. So no doubt it will be the must have over here soon, too.

A guy is selling this idea on dragons den right now, the dragons are now loving it!

limklad · 01-07-2010 09:36PM

shebango wrote: »

Nope. Drives me around the twist. Don't like being caught off guard by someone I don't want to talk to.

And iwouldn't inflict this on someone neither!:cool:

I usually hang up on those I don't want to talk to. If they complain I say the line got cut off and then end the call again. I not lying due to me ending the call hence the "cut off".

Savman · 01-07-2010 10:24PM

Simple solution: unblock all numbers, problem solved.

Being able to hide your number is just making things too easy for the weirdos and debt collectors undesirables.

crossmolinalad · 01-07-2010 10:42PM

have two phones one is bill pay number only known by family and friends and on for 24 hours
This number stays on private because i will use it somtimes to call others then friends and family

The other one is prepay and use it for all kind of rubbish (bank,cc,internet ,contracts,work) and switch it on in the morning 8.00 and switch it of at 5.00 in the evening

When im at home or going out i like my privacy

milehip1 · 01-07-2010 10:58PM

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?

I never understand why people use withheld numbers,you're going to be found out as soon as you start talking,
unless you've something to hide or are a prank caller, which is why people dont answer private numbers.
plus if you miss the call, how the hell are you supposed to call back?

01-07-2010 10:59PM

answer them normally a freak

Sir Oxman · 02-07-2010 01:51AM

Boskowski wrote: »

A bit of a pet hate of mine, hence the rant. Sorry. Here we go.

Not answering private numbers is surely a pretty paranoid thing to be (not) doing. Like Oh Dear I might have to interact with someone. Possibly someone I don't know.:eek: I might have to say to someone 'I don't want to talk to you', or 'I don't want to buy something from you' or 'fvck off'. I might actually have to say something 'real' instead of a fake 'How are you love. Glad you called, listen I was just on my way but I call you back, surely.'? How mortifying, embarrassing, humiliating, inconvenient. Seriously.

Very fvckin American really.

In America people now get caller monitoring. Like you ring that person and a machine talks to you first where you have to leave your name and intent and then press a key or something. So that the person being called can screen the incoming call first without actually having to interact with someone. I should actually start selling those what with the huge number of paranoids on this forum alone.

Pretty fvckin sad really. And very American. So no doubt it will be the must have over here soon, too.

Question by the way to you people not answering to withheld caller id's.
Do you only open letters with the sender firmly written on it? Surely most of those are trying to sell you something or are looking for money...

OMFG! LA! The Hills!

How can someone with fingers so utterly miss the point?

Dudess · 02-07-2010 01:58AM

I always answer it out of sheer curiosity. If it's cold-calling or whatever, just say "Sorry, I'm not free right now" and hang up - it's not that much of an ordeal.

i.need.a.job · 02-07-2010 01:59AM

i never answer private numbers to avoid conversations i dont want to have. i.e the guards (even though i never do anything out of the way) or my house mate wanting me to turn on the immertion.

i also keep my voice mail box full.. becuase i hate hearing messages back from numbers i didnt want to answer.

Sir Oxman · 02-07-2010 02:05AM

Biggins wrote: »

Always display my number.

No, I don't answer them.
If someone come up to your door knocking but wearing a mask hiding their face, would you answer it?

Anyway, frankly I consider it rude.
If they have any manners they will say who it is - not have you play constant guessing games.

TBH, cold callers can buzz off whatever form they take - I never answer my door unless I know who it is - life is too short and inevitably it's some total cnut trying to sell something, indoctrinate you or ask you to 'lend' them your vote.

Go away, you dirty bastards. (and that includes private numbers - invariably BAD NEWS or just a waste of my fcuking time)

Shivers26 · 02-07-2010 02:11AM

Yes I answer private numbers. 99% of the time its one of my sisters calling off their house phones.

I dont even know how to turn my phone on to private number so safe to say my number comes up when I ring people.

Doc · 02-07-2010 02:24AM

One of my friends never answers a call if it’s from a privet number and it is really annoying.

Generally when I was living in the same country it was fine as I would be ringing from my mobile and my name would come up but now that I am overseas and ringing from landline numbers in work or home so it comes up as unknown number. It means I have to leave him a message saying “Its me pick up the phone.” Then ring back in 5 minutes and hope he has checked his messages.

I also was back in the country recently and didn’t want to be paying roaming charges every time I wanted to ring someone so I used phone boxes. It would be bloody annoying to have to pay to ring him twice when everyone else just picked up straight away.

I would never turn my number onto private. I don’t see the point. Nor do I see the point in not answering private numbers. I mean you can always hang up if it’s someone you don’t want to speak too.

Amalgam · 02-07-2010 02:24AM

There's a subtle psychology to it too, being anonymous gives the caller a bit of dutch courage and room to push the envelope, which they wouldn't\might not do if their number was visible.

Ever get a call from someone you just about know, barely, and they're getting a bit leary with you, so annoying.

I don't answer anon. numbers. The EU were looking at the ability of mobile phones to block their number, it might not be something you can do in the future..

therokerroar · 02-07-2010 02:37AM

I have my own number on private (due to the habit of ringing virtually everyone in my phonebook when drunk), but won't answer private number calls.

Hypocritical, but there you go.

irish_goat · 02-07-2010 02:51AM

I've recently stopped answering private calls because of a crazy girl I met a couple of times at uni 2 years ago who calls me every day to talk inane ****e. I'd enjoy the conversations sometimes but there were times when I just wanted to hang up on her i.e. when I was in the pub and she didn't take the hint or when I was out shopping and couldn't really hold the phone and do everything else. I've stopped answering her now but still get the odd call that I just know is her.

If it's important, someone will leave a message.

Killer Pigeon · 02-07-2010 03:45AM

My dad is a freak for not answering calls from private phones numbers. He keeps thinking that the only reason people call with private numbers is that they want to find out if you're home or not and remain anonymous ... conspiracy freak!

pajodublin · 02-07-2010 03:51AM

i rarely answer Private Numbers

A little tip for you people who use X-directory Landlines.
If you want the person your ringing to know what number you're calling from press 141 before dialling the number

it will then show your landline number on their mobile.

Simple

skywalker_208 · 02-07-2010 08:33AM

I never answer private numbers. No idea why people do this.
If you do answer them they always turn out to be some stupid marketing company trying to sell you crap!

Hoofball · 02-07-2010 09:41AM

There are some valid reasons for blocking your number, I work from home for most of the week and ring customers etc a fair bit from my land-line, and I don't want them knowing my home number so I've it blocked. Couldn't be arsed remembering to put in the number every time to block it as no doubt I'd forget it and be plagued by customers ringing at any time.....

Iomega Man · 02-07-2010 09:45AM

Jay D wrote: »

People who don't answer their phone to private numbers are retards.

I remember one well educated gaw bean who said they have something to hide doing that.

What about landlines x directory you knob head? (to him)

No one is that important to not answer.

Unless of course they're not on o2 and are afraid of a call from the Gardai.

So I'd imagine, judging by your "poetic" response.. you have your phone set to private?

It figures

Carstuck · 02-07-2010 09:56AM

I answer my phone whenever it rings, regardless who it is whether their number is showing or not, just like I used to when there was no caller ID on landlines. Can't see why people won't answer private numbers, if its marketing or anything just say no thanks and hang up. Simple.

enda1 · 02-07-2010 10:05AM

Lots of people have to have private numbers for lots of reasons*. Not to answer a call from a private number is just ridiculous I think (unless you are roaming abroad maybe where it'll cost you). Sure just hang up if you don't know them!

*such as teachers, politicians, gardaí, important business people, celebrities, ...

02-07-2010 10:45AM

I would love to disable all caller id's being sent for a few days, the country would grind to a halt judging by people here's fear/utter stupidity of refusing to answer private numbers.

super_furry · 02-07-2010 10:51AM

Seriously, I don't get this phobia have of private numbers, it's idiocy. What do you think is going to happen? You're going to get hypnotised and mugged over the phone.

When the Private Number calls

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