I never answer the phone unless I recognize the number.
Exactly. If it is important, they'll leave a message.
That's the way to do it. I give my number out only those I want to hear from and I will load their numbers into my address book so that I know it's them that are calling. If they use a different phone to call me or block their incoming number, they go to voice mail. I simply will not answer a call from somebody who I do not recognize and wish to speak with.
For some reason, older people don't want to do that. They think it's rude. For instance, even though my mother-in-law has been scammed a few times, she will still politely answer every phone call that comes in no matter what and she will allow any telemarketer to give his/her full pitch. I don't get it. But I guess she's the product of an earlier era when traveling salespeople would knock on her door and pitch things like vacuum cleaners and encyclopedias.
Bingo! Adopted that rule twenty years ago. Another rule is that I don't answer the phone if I “can't talk” — no matter who is calling. Am baffled and offended when I call someone who says, “I can't talk right now!” I think, “So, why did you pick up the phone?” There are rare exceptions, when people really are in crisis, are waiting for a call, and can't bear the ringing or something like that, but those are exceedingly rare these days. With caller id and voicemail, there's just no reason to blindly answer the phone.
The nuttiest when it comes to a compulsion to answer every call are the over 65 folks. My mother, who is in her 70s, is infuriated when her brother calls her during “The Five” on Fox because, she says, he knows she loves to watch that show. I ask, “Mother, why do you answer the phone? Why don't you let it go to voicemail and call back after 6pm?” My mother's inane response” “What if it's an emergency?” I tell her that makes no sense, as if it's not as if she never leaves the house out of fear her brother will call with an emergency!
Anyway, turn off the ringer when you don't feel like talking and don't answer the phone if you don't know who is calling. Secrets to a happier life.