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Comment by monkpit | Hacker News Reader

> I've stopped answering anything that isn't in my contacts already.

Isn’t that what everyone does? Or is it just a millennial thing…

I think it's mainly a millennial and gen z thing-- older generations still answer all calls, at least those that aren't into tech. I think it's just easier to realize that anyone not in your contacts will either leave a voicemail or text you if it's that important.

We ignore it too. But I can tell the ones who do answer. They get extremely irate if you do not pick up when they call. As if it is their personal line to you and you should drop everything for them. I dump them into voicemail too.

I'm mid Gen X, and I can't imagine wasting my time answering all calls. I have my phone set to silence any unknown numbers. I'm not going to answer any call that isn't in my contact list. Voicemail a coherent message and I'll call you back and add you to my contacts.

I'm several decades not a millennial and haven't answered the phone since...before the millennium.

That is only practical when you are young and life is simple.

Get married. Start a business. Get sick. Buy a house. Have children. Make interesting friends. Travel extensively.

Once life gets interesting, you start missing important calls with that strategy.

I have all those things. If it’s truly important they will text or leave a voicemail if I don’t pickup.

The only thing I haven't done on this list has have children, and I haven't yet missed an important call with that strategy.

If it's important, they can leave an relevant voicemail.

I haven't yet missed an important call with that strategy.

How would you know?

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