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Posted: 19 June 2007 at 1:29pm | IP Logged

I know this sounds really silly but I hate calling people on the phone. It can take me days to pluck up the courage to call the bank to pay a bill or similar which ends up leaving me in trouble or owing money. I'm ok with people I know but other than that it brings me out in cold sweats at just the idea of it.

DP doesnt understand and just gets ratty with me if I havent done something but I dont know how to change it. I lay in bed at night and think - I'm being daft, I'll call x, y and z in the morning. Then the morning comes and I keep putting it off.

I dont know what I can do to change my ways.

Posted: 19 June 2007 at 1:33pm | IP Logged

Take a deep breath and do it !

I know it must be hard, but sometimes the only way to get over something is just to go ahead and do it.

Posted: 19 June 2007 at 1:34pm | IP Logged

   I am the same Madz.I have never liked making important calls on the phone and if I can e mail these days i would rather do that.

    I really have to force myself to do it and don't enjoy doing it. Wish I could help you but wanted to let you know you are not the only one.

Posted: 19 June 2007 at 1:53pm | IP Logged

would it help if you wrote down what you are going to say?  just bullet points or something?  that way you won't be scared that you won't know what to say or forget something important that would mean that you'd have to phone back?

I used to work in a call centre and honest to god, it is not uncommon for people to be nervous..you could hear it in their voice but to the person answering the phone, your call will be a blessing as there is nothing more boring than sitting waiting for the phone to ring..we used to fight to pick the call up lol

good luck!

Posted: 19 June 2007 at 2:56pm | IP Logged

madz my DH is the same as you and leaves all the calling for me to do!!! he cant even phone his own doctors or dentist - i not over keen on doing it but its something i have no choice to do cause if i didn't it just wouldn't get done - he has no problems talking to his mates or me on his mobile though lol, like hazy said Hun just take a deep breath and do it especially if your DP cant do it and its getting you in trouble when you avoid making the calls - good luck luv jue xxx

Posted: 19 June 2007 at 3:08pm | IP Logged

I'm the same hun. If I can send an email I will. I had my family tax credit renewal through and I would rather fill out the long long long! form than phone up and have it done and dusted in a few minutes!

The way I get round it is to not think about it and just do it. Dial the number then you have no choice but to talk the the person on the other end

x

Posted: 19 June 2007 at 3:21pm | IP Logged

And there was me thinking I was unusual! I used to be a legal secretary and had to ring up Courts, police etc - had no bother ringing anyone. Since I gave up work and had the kids it has gradually become harder and harder to ring anybody. I will put it off for days, and my dh has to nip my head until I eventually do it. I hate it - tho once I've done it I always wonder what I was stressed about! I end up with sweaty palms and my heart races!

I like danidakin's advice - I will use that myself! lol!xxx

Posted: 19 June 2007 at 4:59pm | IP Logged

Thanks girls - I feel so much better knowing its not just me.

I too end up with heart racing and sweaty palms and then as soon as I've done it I wonder why I was so bothered about it.

I used to work for a light therapy company and I was always on the phone but even then personal calls bring me out in cold sweats.

Dani I too will fill out reams of paperwork rather than doing it over the phone!

I will make more of an effort. My new trick is to make a list at the begining of each day off all the things I need to do, including all phone calls and cross them off as I do them. I can add to the list through the day but it really helps force me to do it.

Posted: 19 June 2007 at 5:14pm | IP Logged

I wont even order a take out on the phone lmao! Hubby makes a lot of calls on my behalf, i am so shy its untrue, i sweat, blush, panic. I even dial and hang up either when they answer or when it starts ringing lol! I just can't do it! I can do anything face to face, or email or forms! Just not the phone!

I love filling in forms anyway, so if there is that option it wins against anything!

Posted: 19 June 2007 at 5:32pm | IP Logged

i try not to use the phone

id rather write or email!