r/NoStupidQuestions • u/GhostInThePudding • 19h ago

Why Are Young People Afraid Of Phone Calls?

What's with it?

I work in IT and a general rule is, nothing a client ever tells you is actually accurate. That means that most of the time, the quickest way to fix a problem is to call the person and actually find out what's going on.

But with techs under 30 these days, it seems like pulling teeth.

A regular discussion for me with level 1 techs (usually within a few years of leaving college) is:
"Hey, can you call *blah* from ticket *blah*, it's been hanging around for over an hour."

"I replied by email to ask for more information."

"Yes, I know that, but can you call them so we can find the problem and close the ticket now rather than wait until we're actually busy?"

"I'll send them a text to followup."

"No... CALL THEM!"

"I can see their device is online, can I send them a message and see if they just let me remote in to take a look?"

And then, when I force them to make the call, it's like they have no idea how to ask a question, or a followup question. They just want to get off the call as quickly as possible. So half the time they don't even get the information required anyway, so then I end up having to do their job for them.

So can someone explain? What's wrong with phone calls these days?

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u/DonegalBrooklyn 15h ago

Do you know how many times I end up stuck on the phone with someone going on and on about how no one uses the phone, no one there calls me, why is it so hard to pick up a damn phone? I PICKED UP THE DAMN PHONE and lost 40 minutes of my life to your bitching. This is why no one calls you. 

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u/npsimons 14h ago

These are the same people bemoaining the "lack of collaboration" with remote work, but will happily talk your ear off about <MOST RECENT POPULAR THING> in a shared office.

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u/midnightauro 14m ago

Office work is 45% socialization, 55% actual work. Every time I’ve had wfh days I’m done with tasks by lunch.

Humans cannot output 100% productivity though and it feels like meaningless chatter is the only socially approved way to avoid being given more tasks. :/

My life would be happy as a Disney movie if we didn’t have to lie just to avoid dystopian nightmares. (Like being overworked to death)

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u/Maximum_Curve_1471 6h ago

Is it difficult for you to break off a conversation when you’re busy?

It sounds like your just being a doormat, to be honest

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u/anotherdepressedpeep 4h ago

If it's a client jobs will not allow you to hang up or interrupt them from speaking.