|
Neubauer Artists LLC Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... |
The phenomenon known as phone anxiety is becoming an increasingly common topic, especially among younger generations. Why are so many people afraid of talking on the phone?
Just a few years ago, making a phone call was a natural part of everyday communication. Today, more and more people find themselves preferring to write an email, send a voice message, or arrange a meeting via chat rather than simply making a phone call. While previously, the reluctance to make phone calls was considered a personal trait, psychologists now talk about a phenomenon known as phone anxiety. It’s not just some random nervousness before an important call. Some people even put off regular phone calls to restaurants, doctors, or offices.
Gen Z – the news generation
“When someone calls me without warning, I automatically think something has happened,” says 22-year-old student Karolína. “I take a few breaths before I pick up the phone. And if I’m not expecting an important call, I often let it ring and answer with a message.” Many young people share similar experiences.
“A phone call requires quick reaction and improvisation. A text message does not.”
Generation Z grew up in an instant messaging environment where every response can be thought out, edited, or deleted. A phone call, on the other hand, requires spontaneity, quick response, and the ability to improvise. Plus, written or recorded messages provide a greater sense of control. They allow you to communicate at your own pace and without the risk of awkward silences or unexpected questions.
Why are calls stressful?
According to psychologist Michaela Novotná,
phone anxiety is a combination of several factors. “Telephone communication deprives us of the visual information that we are used to in personal contact. We cannot see the other person’s facial expression or body language, and the brain therefore has to work with a greater degree of uncertainty,” she explains. Fear of evaluation also plays a significant role. “Many people are worried that they will say something wrong, that they will not appear professional enough or that they will not be able to respond quickly. We can think about the answer when sending a message, but we do not have that option during a call,” adds the psychologist.
When technology changes our habits
Phone anxiety is not a classic diagnosis, but experts agree that it is related to changes in communication habits. Phone calls have become more of an exceptional form of contact than a common tool. Many companies now offer customer support via chat, restaurants accept reservations online, and work communication is moving to platforms like Slack or Teams. The less we make phone calls, the less we practice this skill. And the lack of experience can subsequently increase stress. “It’s similar to public speaking. When we don’t do something for a long time, we start to feel like we can’t do it,” says Novotná.
It’s not just about the young
Although phone anxiety is most often discussed in connection with Generation Z, the problem is not without its problems for older people. Experts point out that phone
Anxiety can be related to perfectionism, social anxiety, or high demands that a person places on themselves.
“Phone anxiety is related to anxiety and perfectionism.”
For some, making a business phone call is stressful, while others have trouble calling a loved one. The common denominator is the fear of the unpredictability of the situation.
Maybe we’re not afraid of phones, but of vulnerability
A phone call requires presence. It can’t be filtered, rewritten, or postponed. That’s why it can be so challenging in an age of carefully curated online identities. Paradoxically, talking on the phone is one of the most effective ways to build relationships. Voice conveys emotion, nuance, and authenticity that text often can’t capture. Perhaps that’s why experts recommend not letting phone calls disappear from our lives altogether.
How to overcome phone anxiety
Prepare your first sentence. The most stress often comes in the first few seconds of a conversation. It helps to think through your introduction in advance.
Start small. You don’t have to call the client or the office right away. Start with a quick call to a friend or family member.
Don’t write out the entire script. Brief notes yes, but a detailed script no. The goal is to learn to react spontaneously.
Remind yourself that the other person is not analyzing you. People usually pay much more attention to themselves than to our minor missteps.
Practice regularly. Like any other communication skill, telephone communication improves with practice.
Try to change your perspective. A phone call is not a rehearsal or a performance. It’s just a conversation between two people.