Back in the dark ages, before any form of Caller ID, we'd be plagued with weird phone calls. Hooligans would call after midnight to ask if our fridge was running. We got calls from an irate man demanding to talk to the sheriff whose last name is the same as ours. Solicitors would call all hours of the day, hoping to sell a magazine, tickets to the circus, or a freezer full of food. And of course, there were the obscene phone calls.
In the early 80s, I got calls frequently from a man who would ask strange questions that usually started with, "Have you ever...?", or "Would you like to...?", or "What if I...?" It was maddening. Many times I called the operator to see if there was anything we could do to prevent him from calling. Nothing was done about it. I banned the kids from answering the phone, hoping to prevent them from hearing his lewd, demented remarks. One evening, after a period of several weeks, with no phone calls from my friend, the phone rang. Camille, who was 7 years old at the time, answered it. I could tell by the confused look on her face that she wasn't talking to Grandma. I immediately grabbed the phone from her, put it to my ear and heard his voice. Completely frustrated and enraged that he'd talk to my daughter, I said in a threatening tone, "We are having your number traced! Don't you EVER call again!" I slammed down the phone, then turned to Camille who had a scared and bewildered look on her face. With my heart racing I asked, "Honey, what did he say?"
In a sheepish voice, she answered, "He asked, 'Does your mom have big BOOTS?'"
Hmmmm! He must have been a shoe salesman! Anyone who knows me or who have followed my blog for any length of time, know that I DO indeed have big boots. Size 11 to be exact! (As for what he really asked...I'll leave it at that)
I'm going out NOW to buy a phone with a Caller ID display!
Hope you get a good one and quick! Can't live with out mine. I got stuck talking to someone for an hour on Friday. Ruined my whole afternoon. I refuse to pick up the phone again until I know who is calling.
ReplyDeleteWe still have a land line and caller ID!
ReplyDeleteSo grateful for caller ID--really don't know what I'd do without it.
ReplyDeleteI do have to say, though, that I have learned with telemarketers, because they usually juggle two calls at once, if I don't recognize the number I wait until about the 3rd ring and then when I answer, if they're not on the line I immediately hang up.
BTW, don't have anything clever to say about those big BOOTS ; )
Good old caller ID!
ReplyDeleteI remember the days of those obscene phone calls. Our number was an easy one to remember so we got them all the time. So glad it's one less thing to worry about now days (along with all the stuff you do need to be wary of)...
ReplyDeleteI remember the days of those obscene phone calls. Our number was an easy one to remember so we got them all the time. So glad it's one less thing to worry about now days (along with all the stuff you do need to be wary of)...
ReplyDeleteHahaha. I suppose it could have been worse. We gave up our land line last fall. I miss it a little but not enough to get it back. No more calls from people who want to sell us things. Mimi
ReplyDeleteYipes! No caller ID is frightening.
ReplyDeleteI promise to stop calling.
...Family Law Liverpool
ReplyDeleteYour blog brought back lots of memories.How did we ever manage without cell phones and caller ID.
ReplyDeleteI love Caller ID!! For all the reasons you've mentioned and more!
ReplyDeleteYes.. I can't live without mine either. We also have a long distance ring ( it rings different when it's distance ) and more than 1/2 of those are telemarketers.. so my kids KNOW not to answer those!
ReplyDeleteI am old fashioned too.. I still haave a land line.. and probably always will!
Yes, caller ID is wonderful!! We still have our land line and will until "they" take it away!!
ReplyDeleteMakes one wonder how we ever survived without technology?!! Sometimes too much of a good thing is no longer good!!!
I don't have a land line---I don't think many people with new houses these days do. But my parents are talking about getting rid of theirs and I don't want them to! I only have about 3 numbers memorized at this point in my life. I don't want to lose one of them!
ReplyDeleteLOL that was funny! I have never had caller ID..maybe I should get it! ;D
ReplyDeleteso THAT explains a lot of my emotional trauma! :)
ReplyDeleteNot many technological advances are actual gifts from God, but I think caller ID qualifies.
ReplyDeleteHa ha! Boots.
Good grief a sick man to ask a child about your "Boots"....
ReplyDeleteI use to get those calls to and I ended up blowing a police whistle in his ear. After the second time I guess he went deaf he never bothered me again.
Hope your doing well and glad your getting a phone with caller ID
Love
Maggie
We still have a land line - now if I could only remember to check the number calling in before I pick it up! I'm glad the nasty man didn't get a chance to find out whether you had big boots or not.
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid my little ones would have said, "no mommy doesn't have big boots at all" .....my tiny feet and all.
ReplyDeleteI so love caller ID!
I'm in the same boat right now. Only one landline I'm tethered to cuz I don't wanna pay money for a cordless.
Let me know what you get and if you are in love.
We have a land line, and caller ID. To which now no one answers with out looking to see who it is. Often times we don't answer when certain people call. Like the Bishop when we know it is our turn to speak at church. LOL....just kidding. We do love being able to see who the crack callers are. By the way, I hate to admit this.... but I was a hooligan who called during the day after school got out just to see if my neighbors fridge was running.
ReplyDeleteI've seen you, yes you do have big boots. Ha ha ha ha.
ReplyDeleteI remember a long time ago, I got an obscene phone call and didn't even "get it" for a little while. He must have thought he had a real looser .......yup.
Got to love caller ID.
(except I do miss the days of asking if your fridge is running)
I found a nice whistle will do the trick. Pucker up and blow into the receiver when you get calls that are not wanted. They don't call back.
ReplyDeleteWhew! Close call there. So glad he was just inquiring about your shoe size.
ReplyDeleteCaller ID is great!
My cordless is needing to be replaced too! Darn things...
Our previous number was very similar apparently to the local "adult book store"'s number. We would frequently get a phone call from a little old man asking if his videos were in yet. If we'd had caller id, we could have had some fun with him. lol
ReplyDeleteEven when I see the ID on my cell, if I don't recognize the number, I won't usually answer. If it is important enough, they'll leave a message. If it's important enough to me, I'll return the call.
ReplyDeleteMy boot size is 10 1/2, but I prefer to wear tennis shoes instead.
Oh man that is sick and funny at the same time - big boots!
ReplyDeleteI for one am very very happy about caller ID.
We used to get alot of pranks too. And now, even though we are on the Do Not Call list we still get the telemarketers. I just don't answer.
Hark, I hear my past calling. Should I answer it or let it ring off the wall. I am sure most of us over 40 have dealt with the afore mentioned callers and caller ID sure became a blessing. Now we are lost without out cell phones, caller ID, blocking abilities, tracing too and of course the almighty picture of the caller if we want. Can't have no fun anymore pestering the neighbors I guess, hmmmm... :)
ReplyDelete