[LINK] Re: Skype and cheap access [was: Link Digest, Vol 175, Issue 49

[Jan Whitaker]

At 11:23 AM 23/06/2007, Stewart Fist wrote:
>People often want to limit communications -- they don't always want more.

Pretty soon everyone will be screening calls with an answer machine.

I had a weird one yesterday. Got home, message on machine. It's a 
woman who says her name is Leanne, mentions me by name, asks me to 
ring back and cite a reference number.

I ring back, ask who I'm calling. mumbled reply. [ah, I'm thinking, a 
way around the DNCR].
woman: were you given a reference number?
me: yes
woman: what is it?
me: who are you?
mumbled reply, national mercantile something, then a repeated mention 
of being a court-something agency (sounds official), for privacy 
reasons can't say
me: what do you want?
woman: cite the reference number and I'll tell you
me: begrudgingly gives number
woman: Christine?
me: no, that's not my name
woman: are you on xxx street?
me: yes
woman: ### on street?
me: no
woman: who are you
[I'm losing it, voice going deeper]
me: what is this about? You called me!
woman: can't say, court something something, for privacy reasons 
can't say [I'm not making this up]
me: well unless you can tell me, I won't say anything else
woman: ah, I see what this is about, let me pass you to Sharon
[wait]
Sharon: this is Sharon, how may I help you?
me: are you kidding? your company called me, I've been transferred to 
you, this is a joke, right?
Sharon: do you have a reference number?
me: <sigh> I gave that to the other woman...
[other woman in background]
Sharon: are you Christine?
me: I've already said no, what is this about
Sharon: well, I can't tell you because you aren't Christine
me: why did you call me then?
Sharon: do you know the xxxs?
me: yes [thinking: ah, that Christine]
sharon: we're trying to contact Christine xxxx.
me: so why did you call me? I'm on the Do Not Call register, why are 
you calling me?
Sharon: white pages, you must be there
me: I want to complain about your ringing me
sharon: but you're in teh white pages, what is this do not call thing?
me: what does that have to do with anything?
sharon: we're trying to reach Christine, do you know how?
me: well, for privacy reasons, I can't say. As I do not appreciate 
you, a stranger, calling me for this and asking for information about 
someone else!
sharon: blah blah....
me: sound of phone hanging up

so, do I have any reason to complain? This was like a bad dream.

Jan


Jan Whitaker
JLWhitaker Associates, Melbourne Victoria
jwhit at janwhitaker.com
business: http://www.janwhitaker.com
personal: http://www.janwhitaker.com/personal/
commentary: http://janwhitaker.com/jansblog/

Writing Lesson #54:
Learn to love revision. Think of it as polishing the silver for 
guests. - JW, May, 2007

'Seed planting is often the most important step. Without the seed, 
there is no plant.' - JW, April 2005
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