How Easily Do You Give Out Your Phone Number?

[notonmywatch]

I've given people my phone number the first time I've either met them in person or interacted with them online many times, and it's never been problematic.

My problems have always stemmed from trying to communicate with people via text messages and the like. In fact, just last night, somebody heatedly told me off in person in a group setting for a good 15 minutes or so because they totally misunderstood something that I had said in a text message exchange earlier in the week. We're cool now, but they were really heated until I finally had a chance to explain what I actually said and meant. I've never had problems like that on a phone call.

 

[Gojira]

Hey everyone,

I was just curious as to where everyone stands as far as giving out your phone number. Do you see it as no big deal, or do you guard your privacy at all costs?

I am notoriously cautious about giving out my number, to the point where I have often been accused of being paranoid. In the two years I've been here at CC, I think I may have given out my number about 5 times (I know to some that may seem like a lot.) My worst experience is that one person started calling me at all hours, intoxicated... Leading me to be even more cautious about ever giving it out. I've known other people who give their number out on a regular basis... and then find themselves having to change it on an even more regular basis.

For the most part, I need to have some sort of connection I feel is real with a person before I establish that kind of trust. It's not uncommon for me to correspond through written email messages for 6 months or more before I'd give out my number. (It does depend... I'm much more lenient if I've made a female friend and we have lots in common or I feel I can ask her advice about something.)

But to be fair, I know that some people just communicate better through talking vs. written communication, so sometimes I wonder if I'm missing out on connections with great people because of my somewhat stringent outlook?

How about the rest of you? Do you see it as just a number and no big deal, or do you have a certain set of guidelines when it comes to handing out your phone number? Do you have different guidelines for giving out your number to someone online vs. someone in everyday life?

I'm fairly open as I can always make liberal use of the block feature on my phone should someone prove to be insane or a scammer.

 

[Lanolin]

I generally dont because I dont have my phone on me at all times and if Im out I'll be out and cant answer it anyway.
Giving out a number doesnt mean you can call me to chat about any old thing or to sell me stuff. Its usually done for a reason. If I say you can use it talk to me any time then ok but generally I dont want people calling me up after 10pm to talk about their problems or just to see if I am awake?!

 

[Krumbeard]

I generally dont because I dont have my phone on me at all times and if Im out I'll be out and cant answer it anyway.
Giving out a number doesnt mean you can call me to chat about any old thing or to sell me stuff. Its usually done for a reason. If I say you can use it talk to me any time then ok but generally I dont want people calling me up after 10pm to talk about their problems or just to see if I am awake?!

I know you didn't give me your number...but are you awake?

 

[G00WZ]

It depends on the person, as a rule i don't like phone calls, i see them as interruptions or distractions from what im doing even if im doing absoluetly nothing so it's like if you call me it better be important.

Don't call me talking about dumb stuff like how you switched your cats food brand and now shes constipated. Just know that when you call me with these your wasting valuable time i could be having not listening to crap... well crap that your cat isn't passing but you get the point.

 

[814MB]

867-5309

 

[Lanolin]

I know you didn't give me your number...but are you awake?

yes

I'll give you the number for emergencies its 555 you can call it 24/7

 

[ZaydaVeo]

Personally, I lean more toward caution when giving out my number.

 

[Lynx]

This is the thread that never ends
Yes it goes on and on my friend


We really should update it from "phone number" to "contact info." I mean, who CALLS someone on the phone these days? That's what my grandma does.

 

[seekingthemindofChrist]

I cannot even remember the last time that somebody asked me for my phone number.

Do job applications count?

 

[Lynx]

I cannot even remember the last time that somebody asked me for my phone number.

Do job applications count?

They still ask for your phone number on job apps?

When someone at w*rk is late, usually they'll holler at someone who knows him to hit him up on snapchat, see where he is.

 

[Gojira]

I usually leave mine in bathrooms accompanied by the catch phrase, "For a good time, call..."

 

[Lanolin]

It probably costs an arm and a leg to call you anyway....

 

[ZaydaVeo]

Personally, I lean more toward caution when giving out my number.

I like to build a solid connection and feel comfortable before sharing it. There's no one-size-fits-all rule, and it's important to do what feels right for you. It's better to be safe than sorry, especially considering some of the experiences you've mentioned. I even sometimes use a temporary phone number generator to get the man out of me. They're sometimes so persistent!

 

[Sculpt]

I even sometimes use a temporary phone number generator to get the man out of me. They're sometimes so persistent!

What does that mean? "get the man out of you"? How do temporary phone numbers work?

 

[Tall_Timbers]

I'm an old married man. If people need my number some for reason, I give it to them. It's mostly places like doctors, dentists, etc., who want my number. If I give my number to someone and it becomes a problem, I can block that number. There's never been a problem, not yet anyways.

 

[Talljake]

I like this question. For me sometimes I have to give my number out for work, for those I work with. Outside of that, I'm really not a phone person. If I feel like I'm interested in a person I would be open to giving them my phone number. If someone I didn't really know wanted my number I might hesitate. I know you can always block someones number but they can still have yours and pest you with a different phone. I'm sorry someone gave you the intoxicated calls, but not everyone is like that. I think a lot of people here don't drink alcohol.......maybe coffee or tea lol. I think phones can be over rated, probably best to speak in person. You so much more to even just a simple conversation in person versus the phone.

Pray you're enjoying your day God bless

 

[Teresa_78]

People that I sense are trustworthy will get my phone number.

But Social phone people I don't usually give my number cause I'm not a big phone person in general.

If someone calls me its typically because its an emergency.

I need to make sure I'm fully awake before I read anything. I thought you said..." I've got a big phone person in general. " I spent way too much time trying to figure out what that means.

 

[Campybo]

Protecting your privacy, especially when sharing your phone number, is definitely important. If you’re cautious about handing it out, there are ways to balance staying connected without compromising your personal details.

 

[Westward]

Just noticed this thread started all the way back in 2011....am I really that old?! Wow
Anyway back to the thread: I usually give out the phone number to my local FBI branch office under the guise of being my number but that's reserved for our fine unsavory characters because they need some love too . As for my real number I'd need to chat or read numerous posts from them to get a sense of who they are before I give out the digits. If it ends up being a bad move, time to dust off the block feature!