It may just be me, but i have noticed when out and about people with there mobile phones in pubs etc...

It rings... they are sitting with there mates.......... BUT it says Private Number, or a Number they do not know... and the scream oo, who is it.. do you know it... i am not answering it i do not know who it is!


Now this is where i get confused. Because on a standard phone, it rings, you do not know who it is... and you do not scream and dance around going i do not know who it is, i am not going to answer it, you just pick it up...

So why is there a difference

Can somebody explain?

Because in your home, you can go into the toilet or another room and answer your phone in private.

In a pub a one-to-mobile phone call is reallly a one-to-group call because yer mates are listening, watching your face and reactions, and hearing what you say.

If for example your boss or customer started giving you abuse, you would feel humiliated in front of your mates.



On another matter, I hate checking the answer phone when other people are around or when the call-screening activates.

It could be one of your mates shouting "last night was the best kinky sexy you've ever given me and I am hot for you now". It would go down like a lead balloon if one's wife or parents were in the house.

I would dread for that to happen!

But I always have the volume turned down on the answer phone, and a caller display on each phone in the house.

I tend to avoid answering my mobile - that's what voicemail's for.

I think it's to do with the fact that all mobiles have Caller ID by standard, whereas for land lines it's only a small percentage of users that have Caller ID set-up on their home phones. It's because of this that the majority of people are used to seeing a number come up on their mobile, if it doesn't then you get curious - why is the number being withheld etc etc. I find it's the same at home for me as I've had Caller ID setup on my land line for years - if 'Private Number' comes up then I have to be curious on who is calling (I'm with the TPS).

I have Caller Display at home, and don't answer Private Caller calls, unless I know I'm expecting a call.

Same goes with the mobile. I let Private Caller go to the answering service, and surprise surprise, there's never a message left...

but there is more chance of it been a stranger on your home phone becuase more people get your number, whereas mobile numbers should be kept for friends, so its most likely somone you know

Hmm, not sure that's the case. Personally I think more people are likely to give their mobile number (my landline number is sacred) out rather than their landline as at the end of the day it costs the person more to call so if you get someone wanting to act like a prat - more fool them.

Also I know of, and have had experience myself - of people just dialling randomly and giving abuse just for a reaction - tis 2003 and yet some people still live very sad lives.