I was out of education and out of a job during COVID so I signed on and applied to a scheme aimed at helping young people find employment. Long story short after I landed a min wage job 600 a month was too much to also be receiving even a fraction of benefits so I cancelled altogether. Couple months down the line I received a letter saying this was a mistake and that I was due a refund. This would probably total to around 700. All I need to do is.... No... Dear God... NO.

You guessed it, make a phone call. Only alternative is a textphone or fax number, unfortunately I'm neither deaf nor senile. How hard is it to include an email?

I received that letter 2 months ago and still haven't called even with reminders in the post tormenting me. So if ever someone asks, "would you make a phone call to x for 700 buckaroos" now I know the answer: no. The laugh is I need the money (don't we all). I'm so pathetic.

The hardest part is making/taking the call. Once you're past the initial seemingly impenetrable barrier of "Hi" it's easy life from there. Just recite the script, accept my fate and let the person on the other end awkwardly navigate our conversation to a conclusion. They're initiating small talk? Target acquired, shoot that mf down with a deadly burst of awkward silence.