Phone Time

So, as my personal friends know, I am trying to get back into the world of dating.   Let's imagine, hypothetically speaking, I've got a couple (presumably) gentlemen that I'm 'talking to'.  And by talking, I mean emailing, texting, or iming.

It has now reached the point where we've continued to converse and these men that I don't know in 'real life', if you will, have requested a 'get to know you' phone conversation.

Although I do find this to be a completely reasonable request....

I HATE getting-to-know-you phone conversations.  I kind of hate talking on the phone, in general.  I KNOW I am not alone in this.  I don't mind it when I'm catching up with a friend with whom I could talk for hours, or if it's to tell an urgent story that is too long to type.   But otherwise, I almost always opt for a different (perhaps more modern) means of communication.  I feel like I have several friends I talk to for hours every day (via email/text/etc.).  In fact, I can only think of one friend I talk to on the phone regularly, and she's one of 'those' who checks her email once every three days.

Anyhow.  What's a gal to do?  Suck it up and talk on the phone with these guys?  Although I do find it completely reasonable that they want to see if they have enough in common with be before taking the time to make a long commute or putting out time and/or money to see me.... I would just rather meet someone in person and see if I hit it off.  That, and I am not good on the phone. Give me a chance in person. I'm much more charming there.

That, and once one gets involved in a phone conversation with someone, isn't he almost obligated to ask for a date, anyway?  Sure, a person could, in theory, say 'you know, I don't think this phone conversation has gone well, I don't think we'd hit it off, I'm not going to suggest we meet', but does that ever actually happen? I know once a female friend said she'd once agreed to go out with a guy, then there was a phone call that was very awkward, but she felt too uncomfortable calling it off.

Is there any way I can get around these phone convos with these boys? Does anyone else abhor getting-to-know-you phone conversations? Does anyone else prefer them? Feel a need for them? Can one get around a date after a bad convo? Your thoughts?