My personal approach is simple, but blunt. I don't answer the phone unless A. I recognize the number, and B. it's somebody with a real good reason to be calling

My personal approach is simple, but blunt. I don't answer the phone unless A. I recognize the number, and B. it's somebody with a real good reason to be calling, like my mom, or my sister. Otherwise I either let it go to voice mail (which is nearly always full, so good luck leaving me a message, which I might or might not check within a month or two), or use the Google call screening service.