[skr]

Just evil.

It’s difficult to get the elderly to realize they are not slaves to their phones. When I was growing up, everything was analog, party lines were normal and answering machines were a luxury for many. If you didn’t answer the phone, you might miss an important call. My parents still thought that way, even after years of answering machines and caller ID. It’s apparently a hard habit to break.

[Windcatcher]

Evil isn't the half of it. Here's a expose from Australia Channel 7 from last month that is chilling. Busting the Scammers - The World Wide Investigation | 7NEWS Spotlight

[Cowgirl of Justice]

I remember my first answering machine in the late 1980s! I was so proud of it (and my microwave!) I grew up in a lower middle class family and we didn’t really have any luxuries.

Definitely happier in that time - the advanced technology hasn’t really made my life any easier except for saving a little time.

[SamAdams76]

I have elderly relatives that are exactly as you describe. If their phone rings, they will try to pick it up 100% of the time. Even if they are in the bathroom or otherwise inconvenienced. If they do miss a call, they will spend the rest of the day worrying about it and will sit by the phone hoping that whoever tried calling earlier will call back.

[goodnesswins]

I did not get the “phone gene” ( and I am getting old)..on the other hand, I have finally trained my husband NOT to answer every call on his cell...and he has learned to ask the caller if he can call them back if the caller is questionable. That usually ends the call.