Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with calling

I am terrified of talking on the phone but my job responsibilities will require me to do so.

Anonymous — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 16:06:15 -0800

I have a near-pathological fear of talking to strangers on the phone. My expanded job duties will soon include calling clients. How do I get past this fear? I am already looking for another job for unrelated reasons, but it is likely that I will be in this one for another few months due to the economy etc. Plus this is just a fear I'll have to get past in any job.

I think this mainly stems from the fact that I am hearing impaired and had speech therapy for years. I can function perfectly well with people I know, and I don't have too many problems in person, but over the phone I have trouble understanding people, and they have trouble understanding me. I get embarrassed when I have to repeat myself or ask them to repeat words. It is not a volume level, I have devices to help me with that. In my non-work life I try my best to use email wherever possible when I have to contact businesses or other people I don't know.

I will not be making cold calls, I will be calling existing clients to verify information, confirm orders, etc. Normally I will only talk to them once or twice so it is not as if I will be building an ongoing relationship. I expect a large proportion of clients will not speak English in the way that I do (accents, dialect) which increases the frustration in trying to understand each other. Up to now I have not had to make phone calls in this job. They are expanding my duties.

I really need to get past this because I think it will hinder my future career. The anxiety is such that my stomach tightens even writing this.

Is there a word for this situation?

jenfullmoon — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:49:42 -0800

Is there a word that describes a situation where you *technically* have free will, but don't REALLY have the option to choose otherwise? My friend who went to Catholic school told me there was a word for this, but she can't remember what it is, and Googling "free will" or "Catholic" or both or whatnot isn't cutting it.

I'm thinking along the lines of a person having a vocation or calling. Being called to be a priest/nun is an example, or if you're Buffy. TECHNICALLY they have free will and can choose not to become one, but for all intents and purposes, once they've been chosen, they can't really duck that destiny.

Mainly I just find it irritating that someone could claim they have free will in that sort of situation, when it seems to me like they don't REALLY have it. And it seems like there should be a word for that!

Prepaid iPhone data plan in Mumbai?

jesseendahl — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:40:15 -0800

Hi, I will be living in Mumbai for 11 weeks next summer. I have an unlocked iPhone 3G. What is my best bet in terms of carrier and plan for the cheapest and most reliable data access? I plan to do local calls over the cell phone voice network and international calls via Skype on the iPhone. Thanks in advance!

Mobile phone with dual SIM, wifi and SIP protocol support

fifigyuri — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:00:24 -0800

Do you know mobile producers which provide dual SIM mobiles with wifi supporting SIP protocol? I pendle between two countries, so decreasing my communication bills with a piece of convenience is welcome. Under convenience I mean having one instrument for talking, instead of several ones or one, where I change SIM cards. My vision is to have a mobile which can have two SIM cards, has the ability to access network through wifi.. so when I get home it can automatically identify that it sees a familiar network, it connects and puts me to VOIP provider through SIP. No need to change cards, and at home it is possible to call for less.

The mobile operators does not have the interest to provide offers for such machines, but I found some quite interesting producers: http://dual-com.sk/, http://www.dualsimmobileshop.co.uk/wifi-dual-sim-phones-c-25.html?zenid=hjrd6nfucmd61rl484f6kv3cv3 .

It seems there similar things out there. Do you have hints for other ones? Can you recommend good ones? Other things like the camera, 3G support, OS are also interesting, would be good to have wider spectrum to choose from. But the most important is to have 2 SIM support with wifi and have to know SIP protocol..

Passing off calls with Skype?

wongcorgi — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 21:32:55 -0800

Help with some logistics questions for Skype as a home use landline/cell replacement. In order to save some scratch, I've gone to prepaid cell plans in my home. My family plan previously had over 8000 rollover minutes with 900 expiring every month- we don't talk a lot.

I've been using Google voice redirecting to a SkypeIn phone number for home use (to save on cell minutes), using my desktop PC mainly to take calls.

My question is this- how do I get around the fact that any incoming calls will have to be taken at my desk? (Especially when calls aren't for me?) I looked at the Skype forums and it looks like you can't pass off calls/transfer to another Skype client. It looks like you can transfer to another account with Skype pro but that is no longer offerered (and I'd like to avoid the hassle of multiple accounts and the additional subscription fee)

I'd rather not get a Skype to landline phone adapter (I dont even have a regular phone around) and I all the wifi Skype phones I've seem have pretty poor reviews.

Any recommendations on good hardware or other ideas?

Adding virtual guest participants to a physical meetup

jeffmacintyre — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 09:04:28 -0800

Best way to add virtual guests to a physical meetup? No, I'm not looking for a simple conf calling solution here; angling for something better and more leading edge.

I'm wondering whether there is some apt web app, videoconference or SIP solution for easily adding virtual guests to a physical meetup?

We don't have a location yet so it's still possible that we could get the technical infrastructure in place to make this happen, between phone lines, wifi, VOIP/SIP, etc. Surely this has been solved before by someone far more intrepid than myself.

Skype meet Facebook. Facebook meet Skype

rileyray3000 — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 13:49:16 -0800

A lot of people in my facebook friends have Skype. Is there a simple way to just do a search for those friends who have it in their profile? I just started using skype. On the info page for a lot of my facebook friends, I've noticed that quite a few of them list their skype addresses. Unfortunately the process is, look at a friend, go to their info page, see if they have skype, cut and paste.

There's got to be a faster way.

Is there some sort of advanced search that just lets you see who among your facebook contacts is of the skype kind? Or has someone else come up with a nifty mini program to do so?

One card fits all?

Anonymous — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 17:57:35 -0800

Can my calling card be a business card? Should I even use a business card? Do I even want a calling card? I'm looking for a job, though I am currently employed (hence the anonymity) . I've gotten myself into a social circle that can net me positions in the field I'd like to work in. It's also a circle that puts me into contact with more people I would want to date than ever before. Can I carry one set of Moo cards to use for both networking and romanticle purposes? Is it inappropriate to use Moo-type cards for either purpose? Is there a way to leverage the Moo cards for both such as specific info, seperate pictures, a way to put info on some cards but not others...

How to "stay in touch"?

abdulf — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 10:13:24 -0800

How do you keep in touch with friends and relatives over long distances? I have a lot of friends and relatives who I am not necessarily close to, but would like to be. They're good people, but we rarely ever see each other due to living far away.

I have the tools - cell phone, internet, mail.

I don't really know how to use them effectively.

How often should I be calling people? Once a week? Month? Special holidays? I generally stick to major holidays.

What about people that I never talked to before I became an "adult"? Like older uncles and aunts and younger cousins or nieces and nephews (like 10 years younger). How do you keep in touch when the ties are by blood, but they're just neutral.

I basically don't know what to say to people. If you got a routine you use or some concrete examples, I would appreciate it. I've read books on cold-calling and networking, and what I want is a more substantive relationship.

I need a frame of mind to approach this, maybe some idea that it's ok to have varying degrees of strength in a relation, maybe some advice that people don't necessarily get offended when I don't call.

How can friends call me in Switzerland from US affordably?

worthylakepix — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 13:29:34 -0800

I live in Switzerland, family/friends live in the US. I have only a cell phone, no land line. Other than Skype and calling cards, how can people call me cheaply? Do I need to get a US-based land line and somehow forward to my cell? There has to be a way? ... I hope ...

Is Skype a viable landline alternative for us?

Happy Dave — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 04:55:56 -0800

What's the best Skype package for managing contact with our international friends and family group? I've been examining options for keeping in touch with the families and friends of both my wife and myself. We moved into our place a year ago and never got around to getting a landline, because we both have mobiles with good packages, and our internet is provided through building-wide, minimal cost wifi.

However, it's kind of tough to keep on top of costs of calls with our mobiles, and we've been consistently going over international call allowances and getting smacked with bills £30 - £50 over our call limits. Ideally, I want to remove all the various bolt ons, international allowances and so on we have on our mobile contracts and just pay for calls, texts and data.

So, I've been looking at Skype as a possibility. I have family and friends in Scotland, some who can use Skype, some on landlines. My wife has family and friends across the US, again some using landlines, some able to use Skype.

From my research, it looks like the Unlimited World subscription would give us all the benefits of having a landline on top of the obvious benefits of Skype-to-Skype video calling, which we have already. Has anyone used this package from the UK? Can you call landlines in the UK with it? Is it a good landline alternative? I'm thinking it'd be cheaper than pretty much any landline deal (about £6 a month, which I can pay through Paypal).

Any experiences or perspectives?

I just called to say, WTF? A phone call from a 4-digit number?

Unicorn on the cob — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:22:39 -0800

I recently have gotten a bunch of cell phone calls from non-phone numbers. WTF is going on? Okay, by non-phone-numbers, I mean, my phone rings, I look down, and I have seen, so far, the following:

9491221
1113
9491220

Also, I get a lot of "no name" or "new call" calls recently, too. Disclaimer: the credit companies are calling me to get me to pay an ex roommate's debt; I recently sent them all her contact info, so I can't tell if she has put me on some kind of spam list. I also get credit calls for my ex-husband and my mother (yes, I am surrounded by irresponsible people).

I tried googling with no luck; any idea what's going on? Is there any way to block these... whatever the hell the ares from calling me? I'm afraid to answer and nobody EVER leaves a message.

I have had my number on the Do Not Call registry since January of 2006.

French phonebooth disaster

East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 10:09:19 -0800

We called the USA from a France Télécom phonebooth. Following the instructions on the poster, we dialled *808 and gave our Visa card number. Turns out they charged more than $100 for a call lasting about 10 minutes. Is there anything we can do to contest this?

Calling in, to and from the Irish Republic

rmhsinc — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 11:05:27 -0800

Any recommendations re: best value in calling cards, prepaid cards or calling plans while we live in Ireland for the next four months. We do have a GSM mobile ( unlocked ), an ATT Calling Card (expensive), a land line in the US, no land line in Ireland and (maybe??) broadband in our Irish rental home. Most of our calls in Ireland will be domestic (on the mobile) but we will have regular calls to/from the US, to/from the UK, and a few calls to continental Europe and the Bahamas. In the past years calls to us (on our mobile) were paid by the caller. I assume this will be true. VOIP is not a realistic solution for us. Any suggestions regarding specific calling plans, international/domestic calling cards, or prepaid cards. We are looking for value, reliability and use from multiple calling locations. Thanks

So can I have your number?

whoaali — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 17:30:57 -0800

[Inane and impossible to answer dating question filter] Why don't boys call? I know I know, there could be so many reasons, but I'll narrow it down for you a bit. Some version of the following has happened to me over and over and it's driving me insane.

Meet boy at bar/party/social gathering (generally friend of a friend of a friend type deal).

We chat, he asks for my number, seems very into me, etc. No plans are made, but we seem to hit it off.

He never calls.

Sometimes there are a few variations. Lately, I've been trying to mix it up. I mean this is 2007, I know a guy shouldn't have to do all the work, so I've tried to show a little interest back to encourage them. This generally entails me messaging them on facebook or emailing them. Always very short, usually along the lines of "bring up something we talked about" and "how is you paper/job/current life crisis going?"

So far I've gotten friendly notes back or no response. The friendly notes back are never followed up by more from him.

When guys go to so much effort (some have been noticeably nervous asking me for my number) why don't they ever follow up?

So I have a few theories:

1) Boys just ask girls for numbers if they think they can get them and then decide later whether they are really interested.

2) They were all drinking and in the sober light of day I wasn't quite so awesome.

3) Boys are basically being polite in asking for a girl's number after they have talked/flirted with her for enough time, even if they have no intention of calling.

4) Calling girls is hard and guys will only do it if they feel it is really worth it.

So what gives?

Give me a voip voip!

prophetsearcher — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 08:09:10 -0800

What's the best way to make calls from Israel to North America, and to let others from North America call me at little or no expense? I'm moving to Israel. I'm going to be keeping in touch with friends, family, and clients in the U.S. and Canada. There are many ways to do this, but none seem perfect.

Vonage? Has the advantage of being established, pretty straight-forward, and I can use my current number. Downsides: Going under? Quality? Expense?

SkypeIn/Out. I admit it. I just don't get it. I've been through the site and it doesn't seem to be very clear. Is it only for softphone usage?

Unlocked Nokia e61 (for example) with Gizmo Project . In theory, I can have call-in numbers in USA and Israel, which would mean 1 phone for everything. Right? That would be pretty sweet. Though, even if that part doesn't work out, it might be a good deal. But there's a high up front cost, and it's still kinda confusing. Does it really work?

Others : Ooma seems cool, but who knows if I would get my hands on it; Local VOIP providers; Figure it out when I get there. I also just got my GrandCentral account. Don't know if that can figure in somehow.

I'm leaving pretty soon, so if I need hardware, I'd need to order it now. But I'm worried about committing, especially if it means porting a number and then losing it.

Any advice, anecdotes, assurances, or alliterations would be most welcome. I'm a generally bright guy, but this has got me at a total loss.

DIY Phone Routing for International Calls?

vacapinta — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 16:23:42 -0800

If it costs me, say, 2 cents a minute to call a landline in Europe and, say, 25 cents a minute to call a cell phone in that same city- why isn't there a service (in Europe) that allows me to call a landline which connects my call to a mobile phone (and charges me 5 cents a minute or a monthly charge or whatever) Or, is there?

How can I call Ecuador on the cheap from a cellphone?

GilloD — Sun, 20 Aug 2006 17:45:29 -0800

I need to call Ecuador. Hola, Ask MeFi! My girlfriend is in Ecuador until December. We e-mail back and forth every few days, but I'd also like to be able to call her at some point. Here are the complications:

A- I only have a cell phone. So land line only options are a NO GO! UNLESS!
-A i: I have a landline at work
-Aii: Our boss is generous with letting us abuse the postage machine and whatnot, but I think long-distance calls to South America are probably not a good issue to push on

So! Phone cards? 800 numbers? I've never called outside the continuous 48 before, so I'm completely dumb on the subject. Help!

Wehre to get a cheap calling card for Bosnia & Herzegovina?

dy — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 12:06:07 -0800

Where can I find cheap calling cards to make calls from the US to Bosnia & Herzegovina and Serbia? A friend's mother recently moved here and needs to make calls to her friends at home on a regular basis. She is paying $0.40 per minute now. There must be some cheaper cards with decent quality. Any idea where I can find them? either online or from local stores. His mom is living in Orange County, CA if that helps. Thanks.

Calling a French cellphone?

devilsbrigade — Sun, 19 Feb 2006 19:21:18 -0800

I have a US Verizon Wireless cellphone. I want to call a French Cingular cellphone (somehow it can also work on T-Mobile - maybe its a roaming thing?). Country code + # isn't working. I'm very confused.

Phone Hack?

zephyrbill — Fri, 02 Dec 2005 20:57:48 -0800

If I want to alter what people see on their caller ID when I call, is that possible (without ordering a new line from the phone company)? For example, if I wish to use a calling card that I bought from Costco, is there anything I can do that will make my business name show up on the receiver's caller ID, rather than Unknown Caller?