People Who Never Answer The Phone When Someone Calls Out Of The Blue Almost Always Have These 25 Distinct Traits
Luis Molinero | Shutterstock Whether it's "phone anxiety," as many younger people struggle with today, or introverted tendencies, people who never answer their phone when someone calls out of the blue almost always have these distinct traits. It's not usually avoidance, but a combination of a person's preferences, traits, and priorities.
Of course, experts from the Child Mind Institute suggest that talking on the phone can actually make it harder to concentrate on what someone's saying. If you're multitasking and talking on the phone while driving, commuting to work, or watching something on TV, you're less engaged than you might be in an in-person conversation. So, even if some of these traits sabotage connection, others are saving them from wasting time and energy on conversations that are better suited for in-person interactions.
People who never answer the phone when someone calls out of the blue almost always have these 25 distinct traits
1. They dislike unpredictability
People who don't like to be unprepared or handle unpredictable situations are often the same people who avoid answering unexpected phone calls. They don't like not knowing what's coming or what the topic of conversation will be, which creates a sense of anxiety that's hard to escape from.
As psychology expert Bryan E. Robinson explains, uncertainty can cause anxiety for most people, but especially those who appreciate being prepared and following their specific routines.
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2. They're introverted
Introverted people often need time to prepare for interactions and protect their alone time with intentionality. Considering their social batteries are easily drained by superficial interactions and small talk, sometimes phone calls can quickly sabotage their plans for the day.
Especially if they didn't expect a phone call or they're being pressured to talk to someone they don't know, like a receptionist calling from their doctor's office, they're going to ignore it.
3. They need time to prepare for social interactions
Whether they're introverted or not, people can be easily taxed by social interactions that don't have a lot of meaning or purpose. If someone's calling out of the blue, and it feels impossible to judge what the conversation's going to be about, people who need time to prepare will avoid answering.
They want to have a script for their conversations and understand whether or not they're worth the time it takes to entertain them, and if they don't have that information, they're probably never going to answer the phone.
4. They're protective of their energy
If someone's protective of their social battery or self-aware enough to understand their needs in any given moment, they may adopt certain habits that seem unsuspecting to the average person. From avoiding crowded areas after a draining day at work to never answering the phone when someone calls out of the blue, they prefer to make their own choices about what they're willing to tolerate.
They have the choice to answer the phone when someone calls, and if it's bringing up a lot of anxiety or tension, they're self-assured enough to say "no."
5. They have a strict schedule
People who are obsessed with their daily routines and prone to following strict daily habits aren't going to make compromises for anyone. Even if it's just a phone call coming from out of the blue, they're careful about what they shift and who they make time for.
If they've carved out time for rest or to spend time in their own company, they're not interested in sabotaging that space for anyone.
6. They're prone to overthinking
People who are prone to overthinking may struggle with "phone anxiety" because they don't have all the information they need to feel reassured when talking to someone.
Whether it's missing the tone in someone's words or the body language they need to feel seen, they'd much prefer to have an in-person conversation over a phone call. They appreciate the intentionality and thoughtfulness of crafting a text message or meeting someone in person.
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7. They have unresolved trauma
According to a 2020 study, people with unresolved childhood trauma often deal with more adult anxiety than the average person. Whether it's rooted in a specific trigger, like getting a phone call, or more generally, following them around their daily routines, they're prone to second-guessing and overthinking their actions.
For people who associate calls with bad news or unexpected negativity, these phone calls coming in out of the blue can instantly put their nervous systems in "fight or flight," causing defensiveness and avoidance.
8. They dislike small talk
Despite a study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology that argues that most people crave deep conversations and meaningful interactions, some still get stuck in cycles where they're only presented with small talk or are capable of having superficial conversations.
Whether it's avoidance or simply a symptom of their environments, they're drained by the interactions that are supposed to be uplifting. People who never answer their phones when someone calls out of the blue may recognize that small talk drains them, and are actively setting a boundary to protect their energy.
9. They replay conversations in their heads
Overthinkers and generally anxious people may avoid unexpected phone calls to protect their future selves from replaying the conversation over and over in their heads. They struggle to simply accept conversations for what they are, whether that's awkward or draining, and move on.
By focusing so much on their interactions, usually even down to their very tone of voice, they tend to send themselves into a spiral.
10. They worry about awkward silences
In all kinds of conversations, silence can be incredibly beneficial for making people feel more connected and comfortable, according to a study from Pediatrics. Yet, so many people run from feelings of awkwardness and embarrassment, and try to fill silences with unnecessary chatter.
They take on the burden of avoiding silence, and skip conversations and phone calls, simply to protect themselves from that discomfort, even though it's essential to well-being and connection.
11. They struggle to 'perform' being polite
Truly authentic people may avoid unexpected phone calls because they can't perform fake positivity or excitement. If they're tired, annoyed that someone's calling them, or too stressed to manage a long-winded phone call, they're not willing or able to hide those feelings to appease someone else.
For them, they'd rather be open and honest with how they feel, not subject themselves to discomfort for the sake of others feeling comfortable.
12. They live with their phones on 'DND'
According to a study from the Journal of Medical Systems, people who spend too much time on their phones are often at a higher risk for stress and mental health struggles like depression. That's why setting boundaries and being intentional with personal phones is so essential.
People who never answer the phone when someone calls out of the blue often live with their phones on "DND," protecting those boundaries and their well-being by avoiding interactions online they're not energized enough to tolerate.
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13. They live with convenience in mind
People who are always thinking about convenience and efficiency in their routines are more likely than others to never answer the phone when someone calls out of the blue. If they're busy or following a certain routine, they're not interested in slowing down or sabotaging productivity to entertain small talk.
They answer the phone and return phone calls they've missed on their own terms.
14. They're planners
People who are planners at heart often have organization systems and rigid routines. But some habits, like avoiding phone calls they're not expecting, are similarly relevant personality traits.
They're not making time for things they didn't plan for, and they're too devoted to their organization to compromise it for anyone.
15. They're workaholics
Workaholics, who often take on unnecessary stress and overwork themselves with a demanding routine, may be more likely to avoid unexpected phone calls out of necessity.
They have so much to get through, so much protection over the breaks they do get, and a sense of urgency that makes calls out of the blue impossible to make time for.
16. They're perfectionists
Perfectionists often hold themselves to impossibly high standards that they'll never be able to achieve. However, that doesn't stop them from taking on shame, guilt, and anxiety, trying to make them happen. Even if it's making time for all their obligations without any help on a random day, distractions like a phone call out of the blue don't fit in.
Especially if they want all of their social interactions and conversations to go "perfectly" to benefit their self-image, they're more likely to avoid answering when they're overly stressed out or overwhelmed.
17. They worry about being judged
People who worry about judgment often prefer to manage social interactions on their own accord. Whether that's curating a specific language or image offline with text messages or waiting to converse with people when they're feeling better about themselves, these are some of the traits of people who consistently avoid unprompted phone calls.
While it might seem like a protective factor in their lives, people who constantly worry about other people's perceptions and judgments actually sabotage their own well-being. They make their lives and brains more stressed out and anxious during interactions that are supposed to bring calm joy.
18. They're easily annoyed by interruptions
If someone's easily annoyed by interruptions or distracted by someone's lack of effort in a superficial conversation, chances are they're turned off by phone calls and unexpected interactions.
They prefer to interact with people they trust to make good use of their time and effort, not a stranger they don't know until they answer the phone.
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19. They struggle without in-person body language
People who struggle without the context clues and nonverbal cues missing from online communication may actively avoid phone calls they're not prepared for.
They overthink the tone of people's voices and find themselves replaying their own language for days. And sometimes, it's just not worth the hassle.
20. They're deeply feeling
People with deeply feeling minds often take on a lot of emotional burdens from other people and get overstimulated by conversations and interactions that the average person embraces with ease.
So, if they have a lot on their plate or are enjoying alone time to decompress from the day, the last thing they want is to get sucked into a phone call with someone they have to validate, reassure, and support.
21. They have strong boundaries
People with strong boundaries with other people, their routines, and even around screen time and their phones may be more likely to avoid phone calls when they happen out of the blue.
If they've committed to spending time alone or prioritizing their rest, they're not going to compromise just because of an unexpected phone call.
22. They're not comfortable with cell phones
For many people who struggle with digital literacy and using their cellphones on an everyday basis, checking their phone enough to catch unexpected phone calls in the moment feels impossible.
If they're living their lives without worrying about staying connected online, they may simply never answer their phone because they don't see the calls in the moment.
23. They don't bring their work home
If someone has strong work-life boundaries and refuses to bring their work home, avoiding their phone when they're navigating their personal life might be the reason why they always seem to miss unexpected calls.
If being on their phone also pressures them to check their work email or respond to texts from co-workers, separating themselves from it completely may be their only source of respite.
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24. They have phone anxiety
People who have "phone anxiety" often struggle with answering phone calls because of the unexpected. Especially if they weren't expecting to have a conversation with someone, their anxiety can overflow from the second they hear the notification.
While it might seem like a form of avoidance, people who struggle with anxiety online may find that taking a "digital detox" or spontaneous breaks from their phones eases their stress and anxiety. Even if it means they miss unexpected phone calls, it's the perfect way to feel more like themselves without stressors from the internet.
25. They're nervous at their core
People who are innately nervous at their core are more likely to never answer their phone. Their nervous system being in a constant state of "fight or flight" makes even the simplest daily habits and interactions feel impossible.
Whether it's mental health struggles or a manifestation of social anxiety, they're always declining calls.
Zayda Slabbekoorn is a senior editorial strategist with a bachelor's degree in social relations & policy and gender studies who focuses on psychology, relationships, self-help, and human interest stories.
