My pen pal wants to know if he can call me. He says that he thinks he can afford the $11 per 30 minute phone call twice a month. I'm flattered by this, but we've only exchanged a few letters and I think this is a bit much for him to be spending on talking to me for an hour a month! At the same time, I don't want to hurt his feelings because he said that he only has his grandma to talk to. So what should I do?

Also, if he called me and he paid the $11 per call, would I have to pay costs as well?

wow...... 11bucks sounds like alot of stamps.......... hmmm....... im not sure because i have been in that situation (plus im all the way in Asia). I guess if i were in your situation and in the early stage of the friendship...., i would suggest to him to keep the call at once a month first. Tell him, that you really appreciate that very much but you know how expensive that cost so you dont feel comfortable having him spend too much on you. You rather he keep the money for himself. So, keep it to once a month...... and would want to do more letters first. Over time, when you get comfortable with the friendship and find that hes someone you want to talk to more often., you can offer to pay for the other 11 dollars. thats my suggestion, hope it helps

I talk to my husband everyday on the phone and he has to call collect....or I can prepay any amount to go towards the calls. Haven't seen anything about a prisoner being able to pay for the phone calls. Our calls are also limited to only 15 minutes each. I also live only 15 min from the jail so our calls only cost $2 each.

I'm not sure I would be comfortable talking on the phone either after just a few letters. My PP's are just very thankful that I take the time to write them letters.

If you aren't ready for the phone just be honest and tell him that you are flattered but you just need a little more time.

Good Luck!

delsey if he is paying all charges there would be no cost to you, and $11 sounds about the figure he would pay for a call.

What should you do? Personally if it was me...... Let your friend decide on how he should spend his money, why take the ability of choice away from him? After all he is a grown man, just incarcerated is all.

If calls are what he would prefer to spend his money on let him, *IF* you feel comfortable to receive them. If not be honest saying while you feel flattered are concerned about the cost of the calls letting him know that you simply cannot accept his generous offer, but in no way are you rejecting him and it does not reflect your feelings toward him.

Don't make a big deal out of it, and he probably wont.

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The last of all freedoms is the ability to choose one's attitude in a given set of circumstances.
G. W. Allport.

I had a pal that called me once a month. He sent me the money for me to pay for it. I said he didnt not have to pay fr the call, it was no big deal and he needed to keep that money to himself. he sent it to me any way,

I thought it was very thoughtful of him.

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I need coffee

I have had pals call me and it didn't cost me anything they paid it all. Its like putting a voice to a letter.

Sometimes it means more then just words on paper.

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I only write and my answering machine takes care of those who do not get that. In my early years I tried those collect calls and it was just too expensive. Most did not have notes as to what to say so it was not as much fun to me as writing a letter.

Well, all I have to say is : it's great to talk to your PP !!!! If you want to do it, go for it !!! And I guarantee those 30 mins are gonna go by sooooo fast ! Happy blabbin' !!!

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It is great to talk with a pp on the phone, some pp's though the urge does not come up, letters do fine. All depends on the individual connection.

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