We just aren't really taught to visualize our weights and measures, it's why newscasters keep saying shit like "8 Olympic swimming pools!" Or "the size of three football fields"
This really isn't an American thing - it's just human, we can't really visualize dimensions accurately unless we have a good reference. Some may measure the Olympic swimming pool in feet others in meters, but the effect is the same.
Seriously, I read the first bit and just thought - if people didn't want to accept calls they'll just ignore it or put the phone on silent. Don't overthink basic social interaction!