It's Just A Messaging Service (Part 3)

7. The spellers. These are the callers that correct my spelling even though we are using the same letters.

Me: Judy’s message service, can I please take your message?

Caller: Tell her Mark called.

Me: so it’s Mark? M-A-R-K?

Caller: no, it’s M-A-R-K.

Me: ok, so M for Mike, A for Alpha, R for…

Caller: NO, NO, NO! IT’S M FOR MARY.

Me: …oh alright then.

8. With the exception of international callers I find it particularly annoying when a caller does not know their area code. In Australia we have four. The Northern Territory, South Australia and Western Australia share 08, Queensland gets 07, New South Wales (and the ACT) sport 02 and Tasmania and Victoria enjoy 03. I do not believe it is that hard to understand, however, as the calls come through and the question ‘area code?’ is asked repeatedly and explained over and over I feel it is necessary to include this call in my blog. Also if you do not know your area code then memorize the two digits and spare me the trouble of explaining it. Again.

Caller: *gives phone number*

Me: and the area code?

Caller: um 9.

Me: it’s usually zero something.

Caller: no! It’s NINE!

Me: are you in Australia?

Caller: yes

Me: then it can’t be nine, what state are you in?

Caller: fine, Queensland.

Me: so it’s zero seven there.

Caller: yes.

9. ‘My country town has 70 people in it so you should know where it is’. Often I get callers who don’t know their area code and refuse to tell me what state they are in. The conversation goes like this.

Me: and the area code for that is zero… (sometimes I try and be helpful by giving them half of the area code)

Caller: I don’t know

Me: what state are you in?

Caller: Marla.

Me: okay, and what state is that in?

Caller: you don’t know where Marla is?!

Me: no sorry..

Caller: well what the f*** is wrong with you. MARLA. MARLA. MARLA

Me: yeah, repeating it isn’t helping sorry.

Caller: oh I don’t know, South Australia.

Me: oh great, thanks for that.