A nation of snowflakes? How a third of Britons ‘panic’ when their phone rings and a quarter rarely or never answer calls – with Gen Z pleading on TikTok ‘just text me instead’

A third of Brits panic when their phone rings unexpectedly and many don’t even answer calls, research has revealed, with Gen Z pleading ‘just text me’.

A survey found 31 per cent of adults panic when their phone rings, especially if it’s from an unknown number.

In a time where cold callers and scammers ringing you up out of the blue happens more often than not, almost 37 per cent of those asked said they are less likely to answer when they receive a call without notice than they were five years ago.

For many, phone calls are a thing of the past as shockingly, 12 per cent of those surveyed said it has been a week – or even longer – since they last spoke to someone on the phone.

And Gen Z have flocked to TikTok to beg people ‘text me’ and telling their viewers how they just sit ‘watching my phone ring’ if ‘absolutely anyone’ calls.

This is because many – 26 per cent – prefer to communicate on social media instead.

Commissioned by Buffalo Trace Distillery, the research found 72 per cent of women are more likely to pick up the unforeseen call compared to 57 per cent of men. 

While 40 per cent of people prefer prior notice of a call, half won’t pick up if they weren’t expecting it.

But the study strangely found that the chances of a person picking up the phone if you haven’t warned them in advance are much higher in the afternoon.

The poll of 2,000 people found that 23 per cent of those who did answer an unexpected call found it was good.

Posting on TikTok, some Gen Zers said they ‘literally scream’ when their phone rings because they hate it so much.

But another person clarified: ‘Calls from your loved ones are always top tier, but calling people for meaningless conversations is a problem.’

Many people agreed in the comment sections of the videos, saying calls are ‘unnecessary’ and they ‘genuinely get annoyed’.

And others said that although they are ‘old school’ and ‘hate typing’, they prefer to opt for voice notes instead.

One person said unexpected phone calls are an ‘invasion of my personal space’ and another added: ‘If you’re not my mum, why are you calling me?’ 

‘I will send carrier pigeons before calling,’ some joked.

But many said they panic when receiving calls because it triggers their social anxiety and they freeze until the notification goes away.

Andrew Duncan, global brand director for the brand, told The Sun: ‘As communication moves more online, it’s natural to feel less comfortable with picking up the phone when it rings, but there really is no substitute for tangible moments of connection with others.’