Do you have a compulsion to answer the telephone, even if you are too busy to talk?

I have had strangers in my house that answers "my phone". It is so rude. Why would they do this when they know it is not for them? Pulling the plug isn't an option.

Never - when I hear the phone ring (which isn't often cause I've turned it down so low), if I'm busy with my 1 year old twins, then forget it, my kids are more important than whoever is on the phone, and they should leave a message if they want to be called back.

You are right, people who answer your phone are rude, none of their business who is calling you! Stand up for your privacy rights and say something (politely) to the effect of "Please don't answer my private calls." If they get offended it's their fault - know that offense is taken, not given.

Sometimes one is compelled to do so even if they are too busy to talk. Depends on the job profile.

i love the phone but i only answer mine...

i love the phone too...AND i also answer some other ppl's own too!!!...:)

No, I will see who it is (caller Id)and if I feel like I'll talk to them. I don't get the stranger answering the phone thing. Maybe that's why we call them stranger.

I guess that is a little strange. Why do you have strangers in your home? Are they just stopping by and then answer your phone? The only time I answer someone elses phone is if I am at my Mom's and she is to busy to get to it. Although being a receptionist at a busy doctor's office makes it a little unbearable to let the phone ring when of course that is your duty. But I can restrain myself!!

Not answering the phone is actually pretty liberating. Why be a slave to the telephone and the jerks calling you on it? Cast off the shackles of ringing repression!

I have that problem. I ALWAYS answer the phone at my and my mothers house. I know at home it is because I stay at home with my 2 y/o and have no interaction with adults on a regular basis (until my hubby gets home) so I answer the phone even if I don't have any time to talk because if someone has something good to say I have a minute to listen.

At my moms house I answer just because I am plain nosy. Most of the calls are for my brother and they are mostly girls. I like "meeting" potential aunts for my children. Silly I know. I lead a boring life LOL

It is rude to answer someone Else's phone. I let mine ring if I am too busy to answer. My husbands JUMPS to answer it, before the first ring is over.

maybe tehy're just thinking that the call might be an emergency call. :P

if you think it's rude, may you can jokingly or politely ask them why they did that.

yes because i just can't stand the ringing sound and i need to know why there calling

I have no compulsion to answer the phone when I don't want to. Those who know me close enough know all the lines of communication to get to me whether email, mobile, YM, friendster or whatever. I'm guessing that if it's really important, they'll ring me on my mobile and if I know them, their name will probably be on my list so I'll know who the caller is and I can decide whether to pick up or let my voice mail get it.

As for other people answering your phone, that's just rude and plain annoying. If they start reaching for it, just stop them mid-action and tell them to not pick up.

At work, Yes. At home, No. It's my phone & I don't have to answer it if I don't feel like it. The same holds true for my front doorbell.

No, I'd never answer someone elses phone! Anyone who does that is just plain rude and selfish! And I'd make sure they knew I thought so! They wouldn't do it again.

They were probably trying to be helpful. I have asked guests to answer the phone, if I'm not close or I'm busy.

whats stopping u? just explain to the "strangers" that they cant anwser ur phone.. or else just stick a notoce on the phone saying no one except u should anwser the phone.