Because as with most conversation it depends who you're talking to, I've separated it by who the Chatty McChatterson is. Also, for the purposes of the first three questions, let's assume you're not necessarily in the middle of having open heart surgery, but are still busy enough - or about to be busy enough - that you really shouldn't be, or don't want to be, on the phone.
If it's a friend or family member?
Suffer quietly (while still waiting for a break to repeat that I really gotta go). I *did* choose to answer the phone...
22(26.8%)
Tell them very firmly that I have to go, leave no room for objection, and hang up.
28(34.1%)
Tell them my phone is cutting out, sorry!
7(8.5%)
Pretend not to hear them still talking and say "great, bye!"
1(1.2%)
Put them on speaker and do what I was doing with them in the background.
19(23.2%)
Other.
5(6.1%)
If it's work related? (Client, coworker, business associate, etc.)
Suffer quietly (while still waiting for a break to repeat that I really gotta go). I *did* choose to answer the phone...
32(45.7%)
Tell them very firmly that I have to go, leave no room for objection, and hang up.
20(28.6%)
Tell them my phone is cutting out, sorry!
5(7.1%)
Pretend not to hear them still talking and say "great, bye!"
1(1.4%)
Put them on speaker and do what I was doing with them in the background.
7(10.0%)
Other.
5(7.1%)
If it's someone you don't know well/aren't close with?
Suffer quietly (while still waiting for a break to repeat that I really gotta go). I *did* choose to answer the phone...
10(14.3%)
Tell them very firmly that I have to go, leave no room for objection, and hang up.
39(55.7%)
Tell them my phone is cutting out, sorry!
7(10.0%)
Pretend not to hear them still talking and say "great, bye!"
9(12.9%)
Put them on speaker and do what I was doing with them in the background.
3(4.3%)
Other.
2(2.9%)
Let's suppose you're at an important family or friend gathering, and have a work call you technically have to (or at least really should) answer. What do you do?
I turn my phone off anyway, so I get the call afterwards.
5(8.2%)
Ignore it unless it's so urgent there's no way it can wait.
11(18.0%)
I answer, but make it clear that I am otherwise occupied, so do not have a lot of time to talk.
14(23.0%)
Because of my job, I pretty much have no choice but to take calls. I might be able to do one of the above, but there can be consequences for it.
4(6.6%)
I generally don't have to take work-related calls off the clock, so this doesn't apply to me.
25(41.0%)
Other.
2(3.3%)
In general, do you take calls while you're otherwise occupied?
Yes - and I fall into the "won't get off the phone" trap every damn time.
1(1.6%)
Yes - but I'm good at making it clear when I really can't talk unless it's urgent.
10(16.4%)
Yes - unless I'm with someone.
5(8.2%)
Only if it's a member of my immediate family.
11(18.0%)
No, unless I'm waiting for a very urgent call.
17(27.9%)
I don't really talk on the phone, so it's not usually an issue.
15(24.6%)
Other.
2(3.3%)
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