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Is it just me, or do you hate talking on the phone as well? With the exception of calling home to let people know I'm on my way (I'm the only one that drives so if I have to go out I like to know), but other than that I absolutely hate talking on the phone. I dread it. If I have to then sometimes I will go to the park (my happy place) but other than that I avoid it at all costs!

Im the opposite , I prefer the phone to face to face interaction. I get less anxiety on the phone probably because Im not being observed by the person Im talking too

Talking on the phone really confuses me. I have more trouble than usual with maintaining a conversation/relaying a message than I do if somebody is right in front of me. I find it difficult to understand what is being said (words just seem like scattered sounds which have no meaning). That said, I prefer to talk with people I don't like on the phone compared to in person, just so I don't need to be around them.

I also get very nervous if I need to call anyone on the phone. I get sort of scared that a family member I don't know will pick up the phone, too.

Yep. I have pretty bad phone anxiety, especially when talking to the bank or pharmacy or similar places. I'm not sure why. It's even worse than face to face conversation.

Some folks ( presumably NT individuals) have told me that they "cant handle talking on the phone". And the reason given by these folks is that they "cant see the other person's facial expressions".

Interesting.

Never feared talking on the phone for that reason. Though a couple times I did get into missunderstandings with persons on the phone that may have been because the person didnt see what facial expressions went with what I was saying- and they got offended when no offense was meant-maybe. Anyway its an interesting thought.

I prefere neither phone or face to face contact. I prefer either text or email.

I thought these days most people just texted each other.

I hate talking on the phone, and much prefer face to face interaction. I feel like I can't hear good on the phone, and often end up having to ask people to repeat things, or talking over them.

I hate the bloody things. I've never owned a mobile/cell phone, wouldn't know how to text someone and I make calls on my landline once or twice a month. I occasionally have to answer the phone at work - you can tell it's me because the call is full of uncomfortable silences where I'm trying to work out if I'm supposed to speak or wait for the other person to speak. I need visual clues!

Give me email any day!

I used to be so anxious about making phone calls that when I had to make them, I'd procrastinate for as long as possible, or try to get someone else to do it for me. Now I work in a job where I have to make a lot of phone calls to strangers, so I've since gotten over that for the most part (I'd say only about 5-10% of the anxiety remains). I still really hate receiving phone calls though, and generally just don't answer my phone for anyone except my parents or my sister. Voicemails make me nervous too, for reasons I can't really discern. I don't mind leaving them, I just hate receiving them.

Oh yeah, I can have terrible phone anxiety and I feel like I am honestly better in person

most young people, perhaps.

phone's aren't going away anytime soon.




i think it's because facial expressions add nuance that hints at the deeper/intended meaning of something that is said. given a certain tone of voice, something said could be either sarcastic, sincere or a mockery, depending on the expression that can accompany it.

you miss that with a phone.

i've had skype phone conversations with people on here that have lasted over two hours. i couldn't handle five minutes on the phone with my dad.

This is interesting. It would appear everyone here does not like the phone due to not being able to guage things from seeing a face. I feel the exact opposite , not seeing a face makes it easier for me. This thread has made me question my ASD status.

I dislike talking on the phone. I do it , get it but I can live without it. If I didn't crave social interaction I'd be happy as a hermit

I generally don't like phone calls unless it's with a good friend who I am having an intellectual conversation with. I have had a few good friends in my life who I could talk for hours with, and it didn't stress me at all.

But if it's small talk or a friend/family member just trying to connect, I find that really difficult. I also get social anxiety about calling companies about issues like customer service, bills etc in my everyday life