Category Description

2003+: All telephone communication is captured here, with the exception of purchases of consumer goods (Consumer Purchases (070000)) and job search- or work-related phone calls (Work and Work-Related Activities (050000)). Checking voicemail for messages (Household Activities (020000)) is not included here.

Activity Coding Rules

General rule: All talking on the telephone is coded here. Exceptions: If there is an M or an O in the WORK column, code as Work and Work-Related Activities/Working/Work, main job or Work, other job (050101 or 050102). If there is a V in the WORK column or "volunteering" in the verbatim, code as Volunteer Activities/Administrative and Support Activities/Telephone calls (except hotline counseling) (150104). If respondent reports interviewing or talking on the phone with prospective employers, code as Work and Work-Related Activities/Job Search and Interviewing/relevant activity (050400).

Talking on the telephone

Text messaging

• 160100 TELEPHONE CALLS (TO OR FROM)

  • 160101 TELEPHONE CALLS TO OR FROM FAMILY MEMBERS

    Category activity examples

    • FaceTime/Video chat with family (2020+)
    • Placing a call to my mother using Amazon Echo or similar technology (2020+)
    • Skyping with my sister (2011+)
    • Talking on phone to relatives

  • 160102 TELEPHONE CALLS TO OR FROM FRIENDS, NEIGHBORS, OR ACQUAINTANCES

    Category activity examples

    • FaceTime/Video chat with friends (2020+)
    • Talking on phone to boyfriend
    • Talking on phone to fiancee
    • Talking on phone to friends/neighbors/acquaintances
    • Talking on phone to girlfriend

  • 160103 TELEPHONE CALLS TO OR FROM EDUCATION SERVICES PROVIDERS

    Category activity examples

    • Talking on phone to a principal
    • Talking on phone to a professor
    • Talking on phone to a school cafeteria worker
    • Talking on phone to a school nurse
    • Talking on phone to a teacher
    • Talking on phone to an instructor

  • 160104 TELEPHONE CALLS TO OR FROM SALESPEOPLE

    Category activity examples

    • Talking on phone to a cashier
    • Talking on phone to a customer service representative
    • Talking on phone to a sales clerk
    • Talking on phone to a salesperson
    • Talking on phone to a store counter person
    • Talking on phone to a store manager
    • Talking on phone to a telemarketer
    • Talking to credit card company (2008+)

  • 160105 TELEPHONE CALLS TO OR FROM PROFESSIONAL OR PERSONAL CARE SERVICES PROVIDERS

    Category activity examples

    • Talking on phone to a banker/insurance agent/loan officer
    • Talking on phone to a barber/hairstylist/manicurist
    • Talking on phone to a doctor/nurse/veterinarian
    • Talking on phone to a lawyer/mediator/paralegal
    • Talking on phone to a massage therapist
    • Talking on phone to a pharmacist
    • Talking on phone to a real estate agent
    • Talking on phone to an accountant

  • 160106 TELEPHONE CALLS TO OR FROM HOUSEHOLD SERVICES PROVIDERS

    Category activity examples

    • Talking on phone to a cleaning service/caterer
    • Talking on phone to a decorator
    • Talking on phone to a landscaper/gardener
    • Talking on phone to a mechanic/auto body repair person
    • Talking on phone to a pet sitter/pet walker
    • Talking on phone to a plumber/electrician/contractor
    • Talking on phone to an architect
    • Talking on phone to electric company representative
    • Talking on phone to gas company representative

  • 160107 TELEPHONE CALLS TO OR FROM PAID CHILD OR ADULT CARE PROVIDERS

    Category activity examples

    • Talking on phone to a babysitter
    • Talking on phone to a tutor
    • Talking on phone to day care provider

  • 160108 TELEPHONE CALLS TO OR FROM GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS

    Category activity examples

    • Talking on phone to a congressperson
    • Talking on phone to a county council member
    • Talking on phone to a court employee
    • Talking on phone to a politician
    • Talking on phone to a public librarian
    • Talking on phone to a U.S. postal employee
    • Talking on phone to police or firefighters

  • 160199 TELEPHONE CALLS (TO OR FROM), N.E.C. (2004+)

    Category activity examples

    • Talking on phone to ex-husband (2014+)
    • Talking on phone, unidentified (2003)
    • Talking on phone, unspecified (2004-2011)
    • Talking on phone, no more information provided (2012+)

• 160200 WAITING ASSOCIATED WITH TELEPHONE CALLS

  • 160201 WAITING ASSOCIATED WITH TELEPHONE CALLS (2004+)

    Category activity examples

    • Waiting for a phone call (2004+)
    • Waiting to use a pay phone (2004+)

  • 160299 WAITING ASSOCIATED WITH TELEPHONE CALLS, N.E.C. (2004+)

• 169900 TELEPHONE CALLS, N.E.C.

  • 169999 TELEPHONE CALLS, N.E.C.

    Category activity examples

    • Others, unidentified (2003)