How Easily Do You Give Out Your Phone Number?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

How Easily Do You Give Out Your Number?

  • I give my number to most anyone who asks.

    Votes: 1 5.9%
  • I give my number to people in chat the first time I meet them if I feel a connection.

    Votes: 1 5.9%
  • I'd have to chat with someone at least a few times first.

    Votes: 5 29.4%
  • I'd give my number out after talking to someone online for a few days.

    Votes: 2 11.8%
  • I'd give my number out after talking to someone online for a few months.

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • I'd have to communicate with someone online for 6 months or more before giving them my number.

    Votes: 1 5.9%
  • I give out my number to those in everyday life right away if I feel a connection with them.

    Votes: 1 5.9%
  • There are times I've given out my number and regretted it.

    Votes: 5 29.4%
  • I've had to change my number because of someone harassing me.

    Votes: 4 23.5%
  • It has to be a life and death situation before I give my number out!

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • I only give close friends and family members my number.

    Votes: 6 35.3%
  • I have more than one number--one for people close to me, and one for acquaintances.

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • I give out a "neutral" number to people I've just met (work number, etc.)

    Votes: 1 5.9%
  • Giving out a number is no big deal--I can always have it changed.

    Votes: 1 5.9%
  • One should always be very cautious about who they give their number to.

    Votes: 7 41.2%
  • It really depends. My rules for giving out my number are: (please share in your post.)

    Votes: 2 11.8%
  • I have a story to share about a time I did/didn't give out my number...

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    17
N

notonmywatch

Guest
#21
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.
 
G

Gojira

Guest
#22
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

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
7,188
113
#23
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

Well-known member
Apr 15, 2019
1,139
773
113
#24
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

Senior Member
May 16, 2014
1,318
453
83
38
#25
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.
 

ZaydaVeo

New member
Aug 2, 2023
2
0
1
#28
Personally, I lean more toward caution when giving out my number.
 

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
Aug 13, 2014
27,227
9,293
113
#29
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. :p
 

seekingthemindofChrist

Casting down imaginations
Jul 10, 2023
1,178
573
113
#30
I cannot even remember the last time that somebody asked me for my phone number.

Do job applications count?

:cry:
 

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
Aug 13, 2014
27,227
9,293
113
#31
I cannot even remember the last time that somebody asked me for my phone number.

Do job applications count?

:cry:
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.
 
G

Gojira

Guest
#32
I usually leave mine in bathrooms accompanied by the catch phrase, "For a good time, call..."
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
7,188
113
#33
It probably costs an arm and a leg to call you anyway....
 

ZaydaVeo

New member
Aug 2, 2023
2
0
1
#34
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!
 

Tall_Timbers

Well-known member
Mar 31, 2023
1,131
1,227
113
68
Cheyenne WY
christiancommunityforum.com
#36
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

Well-known member
Jul 17, 2022
2,248
1,200
113
36
#37
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

New member
Aug 19, 2023
1
0
1
#38
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. 😂