New research has revealed that almost nine out of ten Brits deliberately ignore their mobile phone, and then lie about it.
Surprisingly, scientists at the University of Salford have discovered it is close friends who are most likely to suffer from being ignored, while calls from work colleagues or the bank are nearly always answered.
Favourite excuses include "I didn't hear it ring" and "I was driving", but more whacky responses ranged from "feeding the cat" to "losing the power of speech".
Just three percent of respondents claimed they were too busy "in the bedroom" to pick up the telephone.
But there may be method to the madness, according to university pyschologist Dr Ashley Weinberg:
He said: "It is natural for people to make excuses for not answering the phone, because they are actually breaching an unwritten psychological contract.
"In other words the caller expects to receive an answer and if they don't get one, whether we pick up or not, we have broken that bond.
"For the sake of our own self-image and the other person's perception of us we feel obliged to live up to that expectation. The rest is down to how plausible the excuse actually is."
The research was carried out for mobile phone recycling company Mopay. A spokesman for the firm said: "We've all been there and told a white lie to let ourselves off the hook. Many people like the idea of being contactable all the time but can’t deal with the consequences.
"Modern technology like Blackberrys and iPhones mean we are constantly in demand. This has its advantages and disadvantages and it seems that when it comes to answering a simple phone call from a friend many choose to ignore it.
"One respondent to our survey said, 'I sometimes use the excuse that I'm on a trampoline so can't pick up'.
"I'm not sure anyone can get away with that!"
The Top 10 excuses for not answering a mobile phone are:
1. Didn't hear it ring
2. I was driving
3. Couldn't find my phone
4. Was in a meeting
5. Pressed the wrong button
6. Was in the bathroom when answering
7. Didn't recognise the number
8. Didn't feel like talking
9. Dislike people eavesdropping
10. Busy in the bedroom
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