Home Phone/Cell Phone Number

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-09-2005
Home Phone/Cell Phone Number
11
Mon, 06-06-2005 - 3:33pm

Okay guys, when you have decided to give your phone number to a guy that you have been chatting with on OLD, do you give your home number or cell phone number? I give my home number, because I don't want someone I just met to have that much access to me.

I was told by a Police Officer friend that I should give out my cell phone (not easily traced) and on several occasions (like this weekend) a guy I was talking with left me a message (on my home voicemail) wanting to get together to play chess. When I called him later, his response was "oh, I thought this was your cell number!" Of course, it would probably help if I checked my home VM more often -- now I have to figure out how to do that! LOL

So home or cell, which one do you give out??

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iVillage Member
Registered: 08-07-2003
Mon, 06-06-2005 - 4:02pm

I only give out my cell. I don't give out my home phone number until we have been on several dates and I feel comfortable that he is normal.

I think that if someone is determined enough they can probably find a way to trace ANY number, home or cell - but it is much easier to trace a home # generally and actually there are reverse look-ups on the internet where you can plug in a home phone number and get someone's home address - so be careful. I don't think that there are look-up engines like that for cell phones but I am not certain.

Re: guys having more "access" via the cell - they don't. I only pick up my cell phone if I know who is calling and I am available and want to talk. I feel strongly that my cell is a convenience for ME, it is not a leash by which anyone with the number can command me to pick up. ;)

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-31-2005
Mon, 06-06-2005 - 8:28pm

Hi tstephnic!


Good question. :)


I tend to give out my cell phone number only. The way I figure it, my home phone number is a number to my refuge... only my family and friends have it. By giving the guys my cell number, I can screen them and it makes me feel a bit safer. Though in reality, if someone wants you, they'll find you. But I hope my cell phone is a bit less traceable than my home phone!


iVillage Member
Registered: 05-28-2005
Mon, 06-06-2005 - 8:41pm
Cell number, except for two times when I accidentally gave my home number .....
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-21-2003
Mon, 06-06-2005 - 8:53pm
No cell. I don't give out my home phone too often, I don't think, but it's really the only way, unless one just wants to stick to email until meeting...which I sometimes do.
Avatar for phoenixmama
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
Mon, 06-06-2005 - 10:33pm

I just don't understand why anyone would have both?! Except for those, say, with kids of phone-using age... if you have a cell phone, what do you need a landline for? I guess if you still access the internet through your landline it makes sense, but highspeed cable internet made more sense to me.

So the short answer is I only give a cell number because that's all I have.

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-07-2003
Tue, 06-07-2005 - 9:02am
I know, it makes very little sense but for whatever reason I can't give up my landline! (In my defense, on occasion my cell will not work at home. But still.)
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-16-2004
Tue, 06-07-2005 - 9:05am
Always the cell and never forget to put the thing on vibrate when you are out with a date...
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 06-07-2005 - 10:13am

I only give out my cell phone #. I gave my home # out one time to a guy I was seeing for a few months, but besides that it's the cell #.

FYI: I received this email from my sister. It's mainly for sales calls but I wonder if online people can look up info on you based on your cell phone #......

The National Directory of Cell Phone Numbers is about to be published.
>Once
>this happens telemarketers will have access to your cell phone number.
>Because the majority of us rely on our cell phones for business use, this
>will be extremely disruptive These calls will also use our cellular
>minutes. In a few weeks, cell phone numbers are being released to
>telemarketing companies and you will start to receive sales calls. Call
>this number from your cell phone 888-382-1222. It is the national Do Not
>Call list. It blocks your number for 5 years. Please pass on to anyone
>that might have been missed You can also go to www.donotcall.gov>

Avatar for calilawgirl
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-15-2003
Tue, 06-07-2005 - 10:53am

I ONLY give out my cell phone. I hate to talk on the phone to begin with and my home is my little "escape" from the rest of the world- so there's NO way I give out my home phone number to a stranger. Once I'm dating someone, then they can have my home number.

Oh and your police officer friend is correct. You can go to google and type in a phone number. If you have a listed phone number, your name and possibly your address may pop up too.

I say do what you feel most comfortable with.

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-24-2004
Tue, 06-07-2005 - 6:19pm
I only give out my cell number.
Linda

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