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Talking on the Phone

P

Pondering

Well-Known Member
Ever since I was very young I have been terrified to talk on the phone. The sounds of the electronic dialing noises scare me every time, even down to this day. My heart starts to accelerate and my breathing speeds up, even if the person I am talking to is someone I know well. Does anyone have similar problems when talking on the phone? How does it make you feel and how do you overcome the nerves (if it makes you nervous)?
 
I'm now very confident on the phone, but I didn't used to be.

Back in the days of analogue phones I found dialling difficult and would often ring a wrong number.

And don't even get me started on the current modern day problem that no one understands my strong local accent on the phone, especially Foreign call centres, don't get me wrong I'm not racist and I don't take issue with immigrants. I just wish most of the major phone and Internet companies had UK call centres.
 
The phone sounds don't bother me, it's just talking to someone that causes anxiety for me. If it's someone I know well, which are few, I'm usually ok.

There are times when my anxiety is so bad that I just pick up the phone and make the call before I can talk myself out of it. Normally, I'm telling myself that I have to make this phone call, hopefully it will be quick, be prepared so that can happen more easily. I take a few deep breaths to help keep calm before I dial. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.

I don't know what type of phone you have but maybe you can keep the phone at a distance while you dial (if there are sounds while you're dialing) and after you dial when it's connecting, also keep it a bit from your ear to lessen them? I know it wouldn't work in every situation though.
 
I try to get away with emailing if I can.

As much as I have tried to find ways, tricks and techniques to be confident with strangers on the phone,
It’s the one area I really struggle with.

Still, can’t be good at everything right?
;)
 
I'm much better at communicating through writing. On the phone I get very nervous. When I was working and was on the phone a lot, I would imitate other people who used the phone, otherwise I would have been lost when it came to knowing what to say.

I'm not even comfortable talking to people I know well on the phone.

I also can't stand certain phone sounds. They tend to be very loud, or maybe they just seem loud to me.
 
I hate talking on phones. There are times I can't even force myself to pick up a phone. I'm trying the email route, but apparently doctors' offices around here only respond to calls. Crap.

I don't mind the phone sounds, but it seems I can't understand people well if I can't see their lips moving. Or, I miss whole phrases just because my mind drifts off. Yeah, phones suck, and I can't stand talking on them. Super-high anxiety, especially for cold-calling. "What do I say, what if they get mad at me, what if I can't make myself understood??" I literally end up stuttering and not being coherent when I have to make phone calls. Its one of the hang-ups about finding work. I can't get a decent job if I can't use a phone!! So frustrating...
 
I do not mind talking on the phone too much. It is something that I have to do for business. However, for some reason I have trouble telling when it is my turn to talk while talking on the phone. It still is better than texting. Texting does not work very well if you have poor eyesight and sausage fingers.
 
I don't like talking on the phone. There have been a few times in the past I've had panic attacks induced from using the phone.
I still get tense and my brain gets words mixed up when trying to talk.
Especially with things to do with appointments or business.

Have an Aspie friend that is the same. He prefers texting. I don't even like that.
I prefer e-mail.
But, we both wait until the end of the day to check our phones for voicemail or texts.
Having few people we personally associate with it usually isn't someone we know well.
So leave a message. :D
 
Mr Allen said:
I'm now very confident on the phone, but I didn't used to be.

Back in the days of analogue phones I found dialling difficult and would often ring a wrong number.

And don't even get me started on the current modern day problem that no one understands my strong local accent on the phone, especially Foreign call centres, don't get me wrong I'm not racist and I don't take issue with immigrants. I just wish most of the major phone and Internet companies had UK call centres.
Click to expand...
I have to agree. When foreign call centers use Indian or middle eastern strong thick accents, I cannot understand them. Truly frustrating.
 
The phone is a necessary evil for me, I don't like it but I have to do it. I psych myself up for it and I make myself do it.
 
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