Is anyone else a nervous phone person?

I hate talking to people on the phone. Calling people, except those I know REALLY well (my mom, sis, a handful of very close friends) gives me major anxiety. I am running the yearbook committee for my DS's school, and the thought of getting on the phone to call people I barely know is giving me a stomachache. This issue is getting worse as I get older! And it's so weird because I have NO fear of public speaking, crowds, or anything like that.

I was trying to explain this to my mom and she thinks I'm psycho, so I just want to know if I'm the only one out there who HATES the phone!

Re: Is anyone else a nervous phone person?

I hate cold calling like that. and I HATE calling my IL's on the phone b/c speaking in another language over the phone makes me so uncomforable.

the same convo I can have with them in person becomes such my harder over the phone.

I am not a fan.

Re: Is anyone else a nervous phone person?

I'm the same way. I hate ordering dinner, calling hotels, calling anyone for that matter. i dont know what it is, because I'm the furtherst thing from shy in front of people...

i dont like talking on the phone to anyone but friends really.

Re: Is anyone else a nervous phone person?

Yes! I'm SO nervous on the phone...but I'm not like that in person at all. IDK what it is...if the phone rings in our house, I hand it to DH...I just can't bring myself to answer it.

Re: Is anyone else a nervous phone person?

I am so much more comfortable talking to people on the phone. I feel like I can be totally myself at that time. I am so nervous talking to people face to face & I get hot flashes & turn bright read when I have to do public speaking.

Message edited 2/4/2011 3:33:00 PM.

Re: Is anyone else a nervous phone person?

I am a nervous phone person. I cant even order food over the phone. When me and my dh were just dating we used to order in alot and I told him I cant call to order the food, can you please call and I will get the door and pay when it gets here till this day i wont order over the phone. Thought i was the only one glad to see im not alone

Re: Is anyone else a nervous phone person?

I just hate talking on the phone in general. I dont have the attention span. Id much rather text. I have one friend who is still stuck in high school phone chatting mode and it drives me nuts! I would much rather just text and be like ok Ill meet you here, we can chat allllll you want in person just NOT on the phone! lol

Re: Is anyone else a nervous phone person?

Yes, DH makes fun of me because when we order in I beg him to call and order it...I just really hate the phone!!

Re: Is anyone else a nervous phone person?

i stutter, so i really hate it. if you didn't know i stuttered, you probably can't tell cause i can hide it. but its easier to hide in person than on the phone. plus i have more anxiety on the phone. but i WISH i could. i always tell DH im jealous he's able to just pick up the phone and talk so fluently.

Re: Is anyone else a nervous phone person?

if i need to get information across quickly, i will pick up the phone. however if i am making plans with someone i will usually sent a FB message or text... although i do get annoyed with people that just send me a text that says just "hey." like.. write a sentence and make your point at least! or pick up the phone!

Re: Is anyone else a nervous phone person?

I've done it for work for the last I don't know how many years (and I'm not in sales) so I'm used to it.

Re: Is anyone else a nervous phone person?

I used to be this way. Right now the only people I HATE calling are the doctor's office receptionists. I always hate how abrupt and impatient they come across. I feel intimidated by them.

Customer service, though, I am waaaaayyy to friendly. I make friends with them and chat

Re: Is anyone else a nervous phone person?

You'll never believe this but I just had an argument with DH over this... He knows I hate to speak to people on the phone and he wanted me to call LIPA about something... I have terrible word finding difficulties so to try to explain something to someone over the phone when I half understand *** I'm even talking about would be a complete disaster... I hate that I have trouble explaing myself to people and it goes way beyond the phone unfortunately So dont worry, you're def not alone!!

Re: Is anyone else a nervous phone person?

Absolutely. I get nervous even thinking about having to call my doctor's office to make an appointment sometimes.

Re: Is anyone else a nervous phone person?

I hate it too.

I feel like it's so much easier to make conversation in person. Talking on the phone is so awkward.

Re: Is anyone else a nervous phone person?

I'm not nervous but i just hate the phone. I can call anyone, any business and get stuff done...BUT i HATE talking to friends/family on the phone. It sounds weird but I just feel so awkward and would much much rather have a face to face conversation with a friend or family member.

Re: Is anyone else a nervous phone person?

I don't get nervous ordering food or anything else I've done a million times. It's when I have to explain something to someone, like customer service, or a doctor's office...that's when I get nervous! I try to script stuff out ahead of time, so in case I get nervous I have something to go by.

This is one the worst parts of my job (teacher). Just knowing I have to call a parent upsets my stomach.

Re: Is anyone else a nervous phone person?

I don't get anxiety. I just dont like talking on the phone. Never did. I really only talk to my sister and parents on the phone.

Re: Is anyone else a nervous phone person?

I'm a teacher too & very thankful for email. :)

I really just hate talking on the phone. I have a friend who could spend a good hour on the phone and more often than not, I'll let it go to vm & then email her.

99% of the time too I'm doing something else while on the phone. I especially hate calling to fix a wrong to something like a medical bill or to order food. I'll avoid it at all costs.

What's funny is b4 I was a teacher I was a legal secy & also admin & 90% of my job was spent on the phone--I remember being happy whenever I reached vm & would leave a long, detailed msg.

Message edited 2/4/2011 9:53:49 PM.

Re: Is anyone else a nervous phone person?

I would not be a fan if I had to do that

I can't even stand calling to place the order for chinese....

Re: Is anyone else a nervous phone person?

me too!!! I have to go into another room to order food. I get super nervous calling parents (I'm a teacher). My voice usually goes up and I think I sound dizzy.

Re: Is anyone else a nervous phone person?

you should try to set up a mailing list via e-mail so you dont have to make all these phone calls if its stressing you out

Re: Is anyone else a nervous phone person?

I am so not a phone person I only like to call people I know. As for ordering food, doctor appointments, etc., I try to get my DH to do that for me I thought I was the only one!

Re: Is anyone else a nervous phone person?

No I'm not. I used to be.

I got over it when I did telemarketing for a bit. I realized no one cares who I am, what I'm saying or even the fact that I'm human and it was my job. I grew a thick skin.

It has served me well.

Ironically my job in NY the first day I had an issue and needed an answer my new boss says "Call Daniel at ext blah" and looks at me. I didn't hesitate, I saw the look of challenge, I called the guy said I was new, what team I was on and that I had a question. Kept it short sweet and the point. Boss smiled and nodded and walked away.

That call ended up in my 90day and annual review.

I talk with my hands (no I'm not Italian) and if given a chance I will pace too. I am MUCH better in person so I just pretend I am. Still the BEST advice I can give is... THEY DON'T KNOW

They have NO clue if you're nervous, on call number 1 or 100. They want to know who you are, why they should care about that and what do you want. Pretty fast and clearly too. No fluff. You feel a call out after your intro "Hi, I'm Veronica calling about the yearbook from xzy school, AJ's mom" if you get dead silence in that half second, then you get to the point quickly and cleanly. If you get a "Oh, hi" or something familiar you laugh and mental take a moment to smile, its gonna be more relaxed. Still I'd say "sorry to bother you but" and get to the point.

I'm a lay back kinda gal
My weakest points are that I don't appear at my best. I know that I don't try hard enough to dress up to the standard I am.

But I can talk on a phone and sell just about anything! haha Phone voice goes a LOOOOOOOOOOOONG way. Saved me more than once when meeting face to face unexpectedly

Now.. if Only I were good with names!

ETA: oh and remember fake it to make it. Smile etc as if they were standing in front of you. Sounds silly stupid but I used to use a mirror and talk to myself. It made me give them my full attention (phone listeners know when you're distracted) and made me feel more empathetic. That's probably why i do better on the phone. Its easier to LIE about how happy I am - verbally than it is for me to lie when you see me face to face! Too many non verbal clues I never bother covering up!

Message edited 2/5/2011 1:05:39 AM.

Re: Is anyone else a nervous phone person?

I'm an anti-phone person, too! I've improved, but I still don't like it. I think I sound like a geeky 12-year-old.