Phone calls are torture

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I hated phone calls ever since phones appeared. I'm really anxious when someone calls. Many times I prefer to not answer.

I'm very glad that I'm not the only one. Although, remembering the world outside myself for a moment, why would I be?

I think my aversion to phone calls is borne out of my insecurity when talking to people. I don't always speak clearly: I'll enunciate a word incorrectly, struggle to pronounce 'th', use a word that conveys my intended meaning imprecisely, or blurt out a completely incoherent sentence out of sheer nervousness. I also disappoint myself because I don't achieve the level of eloquence and erudition that I feel is required for a stimulating conversation, which is not always my fault. I would love to join the social and gentleman's clubs (i.e. the Athanaeum, Garrick Club) that are frequented by like-minded individuals but I would be terrified of the prospect - simply because I don't feel that I'm verbally adept (spotaneous wit and ornate commentary is not my forte). I might be expecting too much of myself but I see no logical reason why I shouldn't aspire to be an Oscar Wilde or a Samuel Johnson. I do have the well-being, joy and comfort of my friends at heart!

I also dislike the way my mobile phone vibrates; it produces a fairly ominous tone to the impending conversation. I reiterate the feelings of other posters regarding the inordinate frequency and length of conversations that some people expect of others. I don't have this problem now but I certainly did at one point.

I absolutely hate talking on the phone, and I always have. I will make a phone call if necessary, but I have to force myself to do so. If I have to make a business call (such as for making an appointment or something) I have to practice the conversation in my head several times before I actually make the phone call. Most of the time when my phone rings, I do not answer it. I do not mind calling my family, but the only time I do so is to tell them something specific. After I have said what I need to say, I do not know how to carry the conversation on unless they are asking specific questions. My last job was as a debt collector so I made a lot of phone calls, but they were fairly scripted so it wasn't really that difficult for me. My husband and my mom know that the best way to contact me is via text. The rest of my family will call, and if I don't answer they will immediately call my husband.