“UNAVAILABLE for comment”, “in back-to-back meetings”, “working from home”. Read: too important, too scared or too uninterested to talk to you.

The mobile phone and the Blackberry have changed the world of communication. Travel by train or plane and you see people of all ages texting or talking away on their phones. They are forever telling others where they are and what they are doing. You hardly need industrial spies any longer. Just catch a train and sit near the person you want to know about.

Years ago, doctors carried “beepers” both inside and outside hospitals. It was an indication of their importance. But now importance and power and status are not marked by having three mobile phones but by having none.

Mobile-phone users fall into various categories. There are the “it’s indispensable”, “must-have” and “essential for work and leisure” types who obsessively check their phones on a minute-to-minute basis. It becomes almost a drug. They feel forgotten, ignored or unimportant when not sending or receiving. Some are almost “phoneaholics”, unable to quit the habit even though it is costing them a fortune in charges.

Some people use their mobile phones normally — if there is such a thing. Still others admit having one but not using it. They claim never to turn it on. It is there “just for emergencies”. Ask them when they last used their mobile to find out if they are telling the truth.

But busy business people have to prioritise communication. There are multiple demands on their time all day long.

Ideally they will have a filtering system. It should be a bit like the doctor’s receptionist. Everyone knows what she is like. Even blood pouring from an orifice or two is sometimes insufficient to get past her.

The switchboard operator is another filtering system. The task of many operators is to establish the purpose of the call and the name, rank and motive of the caller. Fail the filter and you may find that the person you want to reach is at a meeting or on a conference call.

There is one other good reason for being incommunicado. It is said that with new, high-quality, technical equipment you can be pinpointed at any time anywhere on Earth. Your pocket mobile, on or off, enables Big Brother to watch you from outer space. That should put the wind up a few people claiming to be in one place while being in another.

Looking back on all that urgent office stuff of a year or so ago it’s obvious with hindsight that, of course, it wasn’t that urgent. And maybe what we say on our all-important phones is similar — rarely crucial, only an additional source of stress at work.

So why not try it: have a mobile-free week. Dare to be incommunicado ... and see what, if any, difference it makes.

Adrian Furnham is professor of psychology at University College London

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