Originally Posted by Sarah_MaxCash

The number of times I have had to help people over here understand how to call the United States suggest it isn't just an American confusion.

There are different rules in different countries about which numbers in the 'normal' number you have to drop or add when you are making it an international number. For example, in the States long distance numbers start with 1. In the UK, all our numbers now start with 0 so in my part of London you start all numbers 0208. Yet, when you are calling from the States you have to know to drop off that 0 in addition to adding the calling code. Then, there is the fact that they change those rules in the UK every few years. In the time I have lived here the first few numbers of my personal phone number has been 181, 208 and now 0208. It is hard enough for us to keep track let alone somebody having to know how to call from abroad.

Plus, it is just cheaper for all involved to pick up a cheap disposable phone and call a local number.