Despite phones being glued to the hip of many Kiwis, some people are scared of answering unknown calls, aka phone-phobia.
AM's Monday panelists said they too let unknown numbers go to voicemail, urging people to send texts and emails instead.
Venture managing partner Simon Pound said although he is supposed to take phone calls as part of his job, his answering message says, "Please don't leave me a message, please send me a text".
"I hate it," Pound said. "There's never, ever a time when you don't know the number and you answer it and you're happy about it."
"So, if I don't know the number, I let it go to answering machine."
Auckland councillor Josephine Bartley said she prefers it when people email or text her.
"If I do pick up the phone, I can be on the phone for a long time with people because they're usually venting about something they're not happy with at council," Bartley said.
"It's just much more efficient if you put it in an email or text, ideally an email, and then I can flick it straight to the relevant officer and get action on it."
Pound said with texts and emails you can respond when you can think about it.
"It's just so weird that people can call you at any time and expect you to answer the phone and be able to have time and ability to think about it," Pound said.
However, if it is someone you know it can be a treat, Pound said.
"I love a phone call when it's someone I know."
Watch the full panel above.
Newshub.
