Vent and do you screen your calls?

[georgeharrison]

Do you answer your phone depending on who's calling?

I do, and I rarely answer my phone. I usually answer when my mom calls because she will freak out if she can't get in touch with me. I always answer if it's James. I will also answer if Tman is not with me and a number comes up that isn't in my address book. Everyone has my email address. Most people also know that we have pay as you go cell phones, so I don't prefer to talk on the phone. My dad talks forever, so I rarely talk to him on the phone. Every time he calls, he always says on the voicemail, "I guess you saw that it's me so you don't want to answer." UM, if you know I don't answer, stop calling and send an email. And no, it's not just my dad that I don't answer the phone for. And I have told him that I don't like to talk on the phone AND that we have pay as you go on our cell phones. Ugh. It drives me crazy. He just called a little bit ago and I sincerely didn't hear my phone ring. I just heard the beep from the voicemail. He says in the message to be sure that I have that # listed as him so I can answer it when I see that it's him. Then he goes on to talk on the voicemail about stuff that can easily be mentioned via email. I'm irritated that he makes a big deal out of me not answering the phone - every time - even though I have told him why I don't.

ETA: He has already emailed me twice this morning, so it's not like he's uncomfortable or unable to email.

[emyinpink]

I totally screen my calls. I'm especially guilty of "I really don't feel like talking to you right now" screening, haha.

[Deleted]

I always pick up if it's my husband and try to pick up for family, even if it's just to say I can't talk right now although have been guilty of the "don't feel like talking" avoidance of some family members at times. (My dad and ex-stepmom will call during the work day and while they try to call during my typical lunch time, sometimes they forget and call at whatever time.) My phone has a bad habit of not necessarily ringing, so I'll only hear the beep of a voicemail notification. Since most of my friends know I don't like the phone much, they don't call often so I try to answer when they do. Unless I'm expecting a call from a doctor's office or such, I don't answer unknown numbers.

[jennlin]

Sept 6, 2012 12:57:04 GMT -5 @jennuinne said:

On the flip side. While I prefer emails and texts, my parents like to talk. My grandparents only talk. I wouldn't tell my parents, "Don't call me, just email me." I think it's kind of rude. But, leaving passive agressive messages is kind of rude too.

this.

while i definitely screen calls and prefer emails, asking someone to just email me instead of calling is rude. yes, my dad knows how to use email, but if that was the only way to communicate, we'd NEVER actually communicate.

do you have a land-line? why doesn't your dad call that?

[Deleted]

Sept 6, 2012 12:57:04 GMT -5 @jennuinne said:

I do screen calls.

On the flip side. While I prefer emails and texts, my parents like to talk. My grandparents only talk. I wouldn't tell my parents, "Don't call me, just email me." I think it's kind of rude. But, leaving passive agressive messages is kind of rude too.

+1

[picksthemusic]

I definitely screen my calls, but always answer if it's DH or my mom or his mom or something.

I can understand your reasoning why you don't answer all the time, and all of your reasons are perfectly valid. Your dad is just demonstrating his lack of boundaries and lack of listening and comprehension.

Do you respond to his emails in a timely manner? If so, he's got nothing to complain about. But maybe he just wants to hear your voice? Could you maybe arrange a once or twice a week phone call so he can get his phone time in and you get your peace and quiet otherwise?