How Easily Do You Give Out Your Phone Number?

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 an introvert, and have a natural dislike of phones. So no. I never give my number to anyone other than family members or very close friends.
I might skype though, at the very least. Though I rarely sign in these days.

I'm on the phone all day at work, so I'm not a huge fan of being on the phone when I'm off duty. As a matter of fact, there are times when I will actually turn it off for a time so I can have some peace and quiet.

I usually have to get to know someone before I give it out. I have regretted it a time or two though. Some people won't let you be nice.

I don't like talking on the phone, so if I do happen to give you my digits, don't always expect me to answer...... actually never expect me to answer a phone call lol

Leave a message at the beep and I may or may not get back with you.....BEEEEP!!!

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.

352-442-35.... I won't give it to just anybody but I'm not real careful about it either.

Im 23 and Im now very anti cellphone, specifically anti smart phone (like android or iphone). My reasons being it would be so easy for people to develop an addiction to it (since theyve got games, facebook, internet, banking and all sorts of things on them. Theyre helpful to be sure, but always having it on you? Its like dragging a massive invisible hard drive and all the people you don't actually like but want them to know your random thoughts around with you everywhere. Me, I plan my computer time. Usually an hour or less at night. Practically no one contacts me cos they usually see me during the day anyway and Im very happy with that set up. When I fill out forms I never provide my cellphone number unless its a job application.

I have one of those really basic sliding nokia phones. I use it primarily for work and so my husband or mom can contact me. Thats it. The minute I get home, I turn it off and put it on my wicker basket along with my keys, namebadge and pens etc. And it stays off til I turn it on at work the next day. If people want to contact me they can reach my landline or its answering machine. Simple as that. Thats now.

I met my husband here in CC when I was 20. It took us about a month before we swapped phone numbers, of course back then if he left me a message on facebook my cellphone would alert me and I would rush to my laptop to talk to him. Now we're married and I see him all the time

I just guessed the last two digits of your phone number... you should be expecting a call from me aaaaanytime now

I need to meet someone in person to give my phone number, if i want to talk with someone in chat then i do it on yahoo but never by cell phone

Nobody wants my phone number, so why give it out.

aaaaawwwww Zero, i was just about to ask your phone number.........i never talk by phone, but i want your number lol

Awww thanks Liz. I don't know what my number is, so I have to find that out first.

hahahaha ok Zero, i will wait for it

I don't really care if a stranger has my cell number (maybe I'll get to know them), but I'd really prefer not to have to deal with texts from people hitting me up for money, so I've been waiting until I figure if someone is acting sane to offer my number.

Once my brother met a black guy at a bar and played some pool with him and had a friendly conversation, so he gave him his number, which at the time was more my number as he wasn't home much. The next day, and several times in the next few weeks this guy would call up drunk with a long profane rant about how he hated white people, and would kill my brother if he saw him again. Total psycho, so I do hesitate a little bit, especially sharing addresses.

My number is 3. I got in on that whole phone thing early on. Call me!


I'm not really much of a phone person. I do not give out a number easily at all. I have "voice chatted" before though...which is free. I do not even have a cell phone, which is about unheard of these days. ha.

I don't give my no.right away to those i've only met online and especially to those strangers live in other country..if i say i'll give my no.online probably im just kiddin.. long distance cost high so never to give out.!unless they are my close friends or acquaintances..

Resurrecting another one...

Well, I advertise my nimber in various store windows or bulletin boards.
I hope for calls. And often get them.

It helps with the side business I have going.🙂

I did something that was not possible back when this thread was started. I ported my main number to a Google voice account. Now my number goes with me wherever I sign my phone in with my Gmail account.

The only reason I still use AT&t is for data. I don't even care about their voice calling and text messaging anymore.

So yeah, I can give you my phone number. I never use it, and I probably won't answer if you call or text it, but I can give you my phone number if you want.

I probably get 25-35 phone calls every day, of which only one or two aren't pure garbage, with a person, normally with a STRONG Indian accent, asks me how I am, after a "Boink" sound that tells me I'm going into a "Bullpen". Unfortunately, I don't want to miss the REAL calls, so normally I answer, and hang up immediately when I hear the "Boink", or the Indian accent. I blocked the garbage numbers for a while, until I realized that the garbage comes from an infinite number of area codes and numbers. I signed up for the federal block, and it was worthless as expected.

I answer those calls and play along for a while. They get REALLY mad when you waste their time.

When they realize I'm just humoring them, they cuss me out. Sometimes they tell me to do things I'm not physically able to do.