8 Weird Phone Calling Habits of a Narcissist

Ring, ring!

Who’s there?…

…Hello?

…Hello?

Oh, I see. It’s the narcissist, up to their next trick again.

Being on the other end of the line means nothing when it comes to frustrating, controlling, manipulating or demanding your time.

Phones are used like pawns in their game – and they absolutely love using and abusing them.

Narcissists are so weird with their phones, but let’s dive into what that means for you.

Infuriating? Check!

As if I need to remind you how infuriating narcissists are. That’s without phones or using them to make calls. 

Narcissists are so weird when it comes to phones because they take full advantage of how phones work, and who can hear them whilst they’re in use. 

Narcissists and Their Phones: Let’s Talk Generally

When you see a narcissist with their phone, it can go way beyond texting or scrolling. The call feature is one they love the most because they can be overt about who they’re talking to, and how they’re talking to them. 

Let’s get deeper into that…

8 Weird Phone Habits of a Narcissist

#1 They Leave The Room For Every Conversation…

Do you ever notice how narcissists sneak off when they get a call? They like to sit somewhere within your eyesight or out of it. 

Sometimes gone for an hour or more, they adore the idea of an exclusive call from somebody ‘very important.’ 

As they talk, you wonder who it is or what could be so enthralling that it takes so long and such privacy.

Upon return, they will give you the bare minimum of the person on the other end, what they wanted or even how it ended. 

But boy, do they want you to ask. They love you enquiring and want snippets of information.

Because of this, they feel the call holds a lot of power or gravitas, and they enjoy watching you not know something they know.

It gives them some kind of sick, warped upper hand that you didn’t even mean to give them. 

#2 … Unless It’s One They Want Everyone To Hear

Ah, yes! The loud, ‘look at me!’ phone call they want you to see, hear and almost be a part of without actually doing any talking. 

Narcissists love to look important. If somebody phones them, usually for work-related reasons, they won’t hesitate to draw attention to every word they speak.

Oh, yes! The documents! I will email them out first thing Monday.

What a contract! I cannot believe how much money this will bring in!

I am thrilled to be working with you. I’ve heard such great things!

It’s enough to make you want to roll your eyes, isn’t it?

They do it because they can. They do it because (they think) it creates a wow factor. This ‘rich and successful’ aura shines bright when they talk business in front of anybody willing to listen.

In reality – most people actually don’t even have a choice. They’re talking so loudly and rudely that everybody within a half-mile radius picks up on every word. 

#3 They Won’t Hesitate in Rejecting Or Ignoring Your Call

If they see your name flash up on their screen, they won’t even think twice about swiping to reject, or just letting it ring to voicemail.

I can recall a client several years ago who saw her narcissistic father in a town cafe.

She stood at the window and called his phone. It was on the table at the time, and he picked it up to see who it was before placing it back down to get back to his newspaper. 

His own daughter.

What was the reason? 

There was none.

He simply did not want to engage in conversation with her. It wasn’t uncommon for him, giving very little time to her in general. 

But it hurt all the same. 

If it doesn’t matter at that moment, you aren’t worth the ‘hello.’

That doesn’t mean you aren’t worth it in general – but that’s how toxic acts make people feel – I get that. 

#4 Always Busy… 

When you call a narcissist, you’re going to notice one thing: 

How busy they always are.

Oh, they’ve barely got time to even talk with you – you’re practically a pain!

Narcissists love to keep themselves busy. They want to look as though something exciting is continually in the pipeline. Their lives are much better than yours, and whatever it is they’re a part of, they’re in demand!

Now I want to express something here, because you need the truth.

Narcissists aren’t always busy. 

There. I said it.

They tell you that they aren’t sitting around waiting for something to do, or scrolling social media. 

Reality time?

They probably are.

#5 They Love to Withhold Just To See If You Will Answer

There is a strange trick narcissists like to do, and that’s purposely withholding their number when making a call. 

It’s sneaky because they may try and call you and not get a reply because you’re genuinely busy. After ten minutes, you may be available again, and as they call on a private number, you answer.

Oh, I see. So you answer when you don’t think it’s me…

Anything for a little bit of drama. 

That’s how they work, and that’s how they create conflict that needn’t be there.

And yes. It’s plain old weird. 

#6 They Often Hang Up On You – Technological Drama!

The hangup button is a powerful tool for ending a conversation. It’s not necessary to walk away or storm off; it’s just a simple click. 

And it can be so effective.

I’d be lying if I said I’d never hung up on somebody in a moment of frustration, but narcissists love to regularly launch their finger at it and cause the person on the other end stress or anxiety. 

For the narcissist, phones are perfect. They are reminders that control is literally a little press of a screen away, and boy do they utilize it. 

#7 Talk, Talk, Talk

You know exactly what I’m talking about, don’t you?

You get into a conversation with a narcissist, only it’s not a conversation.

It’s fully one-sided. 

They talk, you listen.

They talk, you zone out.

They talk, and talk, and talk.

Nothing is about you. It’s all about you.

It’s the same in person as it is on the phone, but it feels so much weirder having to consciously and physically hold a phone to your ear and not even get half a chance to say a word. 

#8 When You’re Busy – Oh Boy…

The only time a narcissist loves to keep calling and calling is when they know you’re busy.

If your attention is somewhere else for a little while, their ego cannot let that go.

They have to be involved in your life, and if you are elsewhere, they will invite themselves by continuously and relentlessly calling until you give in and answer.