Barbara J. Hamby

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Number, Please

If you remember hearing a human female voice (not tape recorded) saying those words, you may be as old as I am, or close. When we picked up the phone, if it was not in use by one of the other parties on the line, the operator would ask the above question. In small towns, or in the country, operators were friendly and sometimes became involved in their customers’ lives.

Some party lines (as they were called) might have 12 different families hooked up to them. If you had talkative types on your line, your chances of getting to make, or receive, phone calls were pretty slim. Gossip abounded and eavesdropping was common. Some operators were believed to be listening in, but I doubt that most had time to do that.

I don’t remember how long ago it was that the monopoly on telephone service was eliminated and we were told that competition would lead to great improvements. Perhaps it has, depending on your point of view. I don’t consider being questioned by tape recordings much of an improvement, but I’ve ranted enough about that.

Working in offices most of my years, with phones ringing constantly, eventually created an aversion to phones in my life. I don’t telephone friends or relatives very often, but rely on email instead. Occasionally I still cringe when a phone rings.

One improvement I really appreciate is a cordless phone. Although I tend to misplace mine from time to time, I really like being able to move it around and not have to run for a phone in a different room, or have phones in every room. Carrying a cell phone when I’m driving is reassuring, but I avoid talking on it as much as possible while driving. At my age, I don’t need any distractions.

I try to stay out of the way of other drivers who are obviously devoting most of their attention to a cell phone. Some drink, eat and talk on the phone while driving. Deliver me from their paths.