>>Actually I'd feel rude phoning someone without arranging it first.
Things have evolved to this? How do you arrange the phone call? Call them to ask if you can call them :) ? If you have to think about it or are unsure, then don't call them.
sorry but you need to make your circle smaller. The people you pay (accountants, lawyers etc) will accept your calls by definition, but if your uncle is bothered by your phone call then you, in essence, have no uncle.
I'm happy to say that my problem is different, I'm not fond of phone calls, but when I call them, they're thrilled.
Things have evolved to this? How do you arrange the phone call? Call them to ask if you can call them :) ? If you have to think about it or are unsure, then don't call them.