By Liz Ciancone
TERRE HAUTE — We don’t have “caller ID” on our telephone. At least, I don’t think we have.
I have noticed that after ringing twice, a little mechanical voice says something about an unknown number. And the little white screen says pretty much the same thing. Since we are registered on the “don’t call” list, I would think the regular numbers we hear from would not be unknown?
Frankly, it is a bit disconcerting to dial the cell phone number of Number Two Son and have him say, “Hi, Mom!” as soon as he punches the talk button. I guess I figured we must be on something he calls “speed dial” so that’s how he knows, but I asked him and he said that if his wife calls him cell-to-cell, it gives her number, but if she calls home, it registers as unknown.
I don’t understand this at all. I would think a known number is a known number but maybe you DO have to program your phone.
To be honest, I don’t know what difference it makes whether or not I know who is on the other end of the line when I pick up the phone. I suppose if I really didn’t want to talk with the identified caller, I could simply let it roll over and let them leave a message. At least caller ID is less rude than having “call waiting” and being put on hold while your phone buddy takes a more important call.
A friend recently wrote that he keeps getting calls from a Mr. Taylor, who is, apparently, on the hunt for a deadbeat who previously had the phone number my friend now has. Mr. Taylor left messages, so my friend returned his call and explained that the debt-defaulter had moved and it was no longer the correct number. He figured Mr. Taylor would find a new way to track down his prey, but not so. Mr. Taylor continues to call and my friend — who HAS caller ID — just lets him leave messages which go unanswered. Once should be enough.
I can remember way back when not everyone HAD a telephone, so every time our telephone rang, it was a treat and something good was at the other end. We didn’t have to know who it was before we picked up the receiver.
I still don’t!
Liz Ciancone is a retired Tribune-Star reporter. Send e-mail to opinion@tribstar.com.
