Who’s This?

I’m 56-years-old and I don’t know my phone number.

Yes, I know — but let me explain.

We moved two years ago, and after some deliberation, we decided to keep a landline. I don’t exactly remember why, but I know this: in two years, I haven’t given out that landline phone number even once. The phone rarely rings, and if it does, it’s never anyone I’m interested in talking to.

Of course I have the number — just not in my head.

Anyway, I may be too feeble to remember my phone number, but I do remember when the phone hanging on the wall was kind of a big deal. It would ring and we’d all run to answer it if we were expecting a call, sometimes fighting off a sibling who was also waiting to hear from someone.

Occasionally, it would be one of my aunts on the phone. You’d know this because when you picked up, they’d say “Who’s this?”

Not “Hello,” not, “Hi, this is your Aunt So-and-So,” but “Who’s this?” What? You called here — who the fu*k is this?

So, here’s an idea: Maybe the next time the damn house phone rings, I’ll just answer it that way. “Who’s this?” Who’s this and why are you calling and who gave you this number. Now have a nice day.

8 thoughts on “Who’s This?

  1. We got rid of our land line and cable tv some time ago. Tired of paying spectrum way too much. I’m 64 years old!

    1. I don’t think my wife will ever go for cutting cable. Stitching together services to see what she wants won’t happen. What we really need is a la carte cable where you just pay for what you use.

  2. I’ve been trying in vain to get rid of our landline as well, but the missus isn’t having it – at least until her mother and her numerous aunts pass away, since they’re the only people who ever call on the landline. She’ll also make archaic excuses for why it’s good to have a landline: What if the power goes out? You’ll still be able to make an emergency call!! (I keep telling her that the landline phone is cordless, and run via the cable modem which, as we all know, depends on power to effectively function). All very amusing.

    1. I have Verizon and a wall phone that requires no external power, so I’m zombie apocalypse ready. Also have an old dial wall phone, but you can’t call out with it.

    1. Eventually there will be a simple pay-for-what-you-use alternative to big cable. Otherwise, those guys are doomed.

  3. Just switched to Fios. $110 savings monthly by killing-off the old copper line. Paying for phone, internet and TV what I used to pay Spectrum, so now $180 as opposed to $290.

    I try to justify it by saying how mush we save by staying home as opposed to going to the movies… but you really must love your house and living room… and I don’t.

    Next up – Lowe’s or Home Depot for flooring.

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