Do you answer the call when the incoming number is blocked or "private"?

[undeterred]

I don't. It annoys me.

[Lionessa]

1. Not blocked, not private, and not if I don't recognize it. That's what VM is for.

I find that I never have to hear any type of adverts or any of those even though I'm not on the no call list. When they find you sent all unknowns to vm, they quit calling and never leave a vm anyway.

[barbtries]

3. i got rid of vm on my land line.

it's wonderful. i push a button on my phone, it stops ringing, and the caller cannot even leave a message. it's been great.

[Lionessa]

6. I only have a cell phone. I did have vm when I had a land line just in case one of those

unrecognized numbers was one of my children in an emergency. Or as once happened, a gov't agency called to ask for some clarification on a application. Had no vm been available, legitimate unknown calls would have been entirely missed.

[barbtries]

2. no.

in fact i don't answer the call unless i know who is on the other end.

[femmocrat]

4. NO. Also if it is an unknown 800-number.

We supposedly have an unlisted number and we still get these annoying calls.

[RebelOne]

10. Never answer if it is an 800 number.

Nine times out of 10 it is a telemarketer or a charity. I donate to a few animal rescue charities, and I guess they give my number out to others.

[barbtries]

5. i have a related question for everyone:

do you listen to bots when they call?
the only time i ever do is if they say they're calling from an airline about a flight. otherwise as soon as i know it's a bot i hang up.

[Lionessa]

7. I've learned to wait to see if its a poll. Otherwise no.

Though since the cell gives me the option to not answer as I mentioned above, I guess I really never hear bots anymore. I am thinking about a few years ago when only one phone had caller id and I answered, got the bot, was about to hang up when I heard it was a poll about the presidential election, Gore so that would be 2000.

[hlthe2b]

8. Nope...cell phone only on no call list (for all the good that does)

Last edited Tue Jan 17, 2012, 10:50 PM - Edit history (1)

If it is important they'll leave a message. I don't personalize my phone message either. Even with the no-call list I have had my share of crank calls, sales, solicitation and survey calls. Half the time they are auto dialer calls that go to some annoying beep and then cut off, regardless.

No number that I recognize-- I don't answer.

[Pab Sungenis]

9. Never.

Nor if it's just labeled "800 Service" or something similar. If your company name isn't on your caller ID I don't take your calls.

[hobbit709]

11. I guess you won't answer my calls.

I keep my number blocked.

[undeterred]

15. I guess hardly anyone answers your calls.

[hobbit709]

17. Lots of people answer my calls.

[Amerigo Vespucci]

12. Never. I let it go into voice mail.

I'm pretty selective about which calls I will answer. The minute I know I need to deal with someone I put them in my address book. Those calls always get answered.

[NRaleighLiberal]

13. I rarely answer ever any more, even if known - typically screen, and call back when I am in the mood

Never, ever answer from an unknown number.

[bigwillq]

14. Nope (nt)

[quakerboy]

16. Usually

1st, because of habit. My old phone, I was required to answer 24/7, day night vacation or lunch break.

Plus in dealing extensively with persons with mental illness, its not uncommon to block the number. When you go out in the field, sometimes you need to use your cell to let people know you are running 15 minutes late, or whatever else. But 3 days later when they are manic or depressive, it becomes a problem when you get obsessive calls every 5 minutes for hours on end. So you keep your cell blocked.

Plus a few of the people I associate with prefer to be unlisted or blocked for a variety of reasons. A family member who is still in fear of her ex, 20 years later, for instance.

Any annoyance has already happened just based on the ringing, and its not hard to hang up if I don't want to continue the conversation. So I have nothing to lose by answering.

[undeterred]

20. With my cell phone I can't block individual numbers

That is one feature I miss from having a land line. Lots of the features you can have with a land line just aren't available on a cell phone.

[jorno67]

18. never

[Joe Shlabotnik]

19. Nope-Never. People whom I want to talk to; know how/where/when to find me...otherwise piss-off. n/t

[BiggJawn]

21. I answer it.

But then, I'm not shy about channeling Gunny Hartman if it's some dildo-brain on the other end.

[madinmaryland]

22. Only if I need an excuse to say FUCK multiple times on the phone. nt

[kcass1954]

23. No land line here. My new smart phone has caller id, and I screen.

Anything I don't want to take goes to voice mail.

I also have a company cell (not a smart phone and no caller id) and get lots of calls from numbers I don't always recognize. I answer everything except those with blocked numbers.

[baldguy]

24. I have to. It might be my 83-yr old father.

Why he got his number blocked, I'll never understand.

[eppur_se_muova]

25. Never. nt

[kaitcat]

26. Only if it's after 10PM.

I have a friend with a blocked number -- a number I don't want to know -- who I've known for almost 17 years who only calls me at odd hours.

Other than that, no.

[jberryhill]

27. So THAT's why I get your voicemail!

[MadrasT]

28. Never

I don't answer the phone unless:

A. I recognize the caller

and

B. I feel like talking to that person

My telephone is for my convenience, period.

If it important, they can leave a message and I will call back when it suits me.

[guitar man]

29. Hell no

Its most likely a bill collector

[riderinthestorm]

30. Never. nt

[Xipe Totec]

31. Yessss....

Because I know who SHE is....

[Motown_Johnny]

32. nope, never

and I wish nobody else did either



maybe they would get the hint

[NCTraveler]

33. Every Time

Never sure who it is. It's kind of like a surprise. I also have a number of family members who are sick. I would hate to miss a call that I am needed.

[Tikki]

34. Never...

Tikki

[Iggo]

35. Absolutely not.