re: How to deal with a "phone phobia" in the workplace

quote:

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I will walk up to complete strangers and talk to them at events, but I DESPISE calling strangers on the phone

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Mine goes deeper. I don't even like calling people I know on the phone. Even occasionally the thought of calling my wife or mother on the phone triggers anxiety. It is inexplicable, as those calls are almost always pleasant calls.

I also despise making small talk with complete strangers. I did go to counseling in college for social anxiety, and it helped a little with that, but not with the phone thing.