As technology has advanced and chat services have improved, many people prefer to send instant messages or even voice notes on apps like WhatsApp instead of calling.
So, what are the UK’s phone answering habits? Have people stopped calling others, and when are people using their phones?
Key UK phone answering habits
The survey found that UK adults make, on average, four phone calls per week – excluding work calls. While over half of the 1000 people surveyed (51.2%) make one to five phone calls every week, just 24.4% make between six and 10.
And in a world dominated by instant messaging and voice-noting, this does show that the art of phone calling somebody isn’t quite dead just yet.
Who do we call the most?
Who do we call the most, and who is the most reliable when calling?
The answer seems to be friends!
Of the people surveyed, 45% answered that friends were the most likely people to answer a phone call during sociable hours between 8 am and 9 pm, while 34% said friends would answer during less social hours.
Partners are the second-most likely to answer the phone, at 34.5%.
What are we most likely to call for?
Think of how often you make a phone call and what that call is for. Well, according to the 1000 people surveyed, these are the three most likely phone calls people are most comfortable with making:
- Sharing good news with a friend or family member (44%)
- Discussing a medical issue with a doctor (29%)
- Calling in sick at work (26%)
Where do we answer the phone the most?
The survey discovered that the most likely place that we answer phone calls is on public transport (32%). However, somewhat uncomfortably, 17% of the 1000 people surveyed said they’re most likely to answer the phone while on the toilet.
The top five most likely places people in the UK answer a phone call are:
- On public transport (32%)
- Dinner with family (19%)
- Dinner with friends (17%)
- On the toilet (17%)
- At the doctor’s/in the shower (=9%)
Where do we agree is the least appropriate place to answer a phone call?
So, we know where people in the UK are most likely to answer a phone call, but where do we think people shouldn’t be answering their phones?
Well, we have the figures:
- While intimate with a partner
- During a funeral
- On a first date
- At the theatre
- Meeting with a teacher
Do people prefer texts or calls?
Unexpected calls are the worst, according to 49% of people surveyed, who claimed they don’t like it when they receive a call they’re not expecting.
In fact, 54% said they’d prefer the caller send a text beforehand to check they’re free for a phone call. In terms of leaving calls to ring out, 42% of people admitted they leave calls to go to voicemail to see who it is before answering the call.
When it comes to returning calls, just 55% of people stated that they call back immediately after missing a call.
Never miss a call again with The Answering Service
Are you forever missing important phone calls that are affecting your business?
If so, we can help. At The Answering Service, our telephone answering services ensure your business never misses a call from clients, suppliers or customers ever again. For any calls that come our way, we’ll take details from the caller and pass on any messages to you straight away.
As an extension of your business, we take away the stress of manning the phone all day while focusing on core business tasks.
If you’re interested in finding out about our call answering service, contact us today by calling 0333 5555 247.
