Today, I had two practically identical phone conversations.
I was a little late getting the October computer class schedule out this month, simply because I've actually been pretty busy... mostly teaching the September classes! Anyway, I had several messages about the computer classes, and I finally got around to replying to them today.
The following conversation took place (twice, with completely different people):
Me: Hello, could I speak with Fred?
Patron: Who?
Me: Fred, Fred Smith.
Patron: What?
Me: This is Allison at the County Library. I have a message here from Fred. Is this the correct number?
Patron: Fred?
Me: Yes, could I speak with him, please?
Patron: He ain't here.
Me: So... is this the correct number?
Patron: What's he want?
Me: I have a message requesting I call him back (Aside: I can't actually tell the person exactly why I'm calling, unless it's Fred -- it's a privacy thing).
Patron: Well, I just said he ain't here.
Me: Well, could you give him the message?
Patron: Yeah
Me: Thank you. Goodbye.
Patron: [hangs up without saying goodbye]
Me: [pretends to strangle patron through the phone]
Sheesh! Hasn't the phone been around for over 100 years? Is it that hard to communicate? I'm considering never leaving my work phone again -- that way, no one will ever need to leave a message.
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