Only Luddites Have One Phone Number. Real People Have At Least Two.
Yesterday I took the kids to go rent a couple of movies. We went to the nearby local place, one of those wonderful hole-in-the-walls that has all the indie/older/cult movies the big chains don't carry. They each picked out a movie, and I rented some Star Trek (tribbles!). We took our videos to the front and the guy behind the counter took a look at my membership card. "I see it's been more than a year since you've rented from us. I'll just have to update your membership."
Fine, not a problem. He wanted to see some ID, get our address, and asked for a phone number. Then he wanted a second phone number. When I said I don't have a cell phone, he kind of paused before suggesting a work number. Sir, it's the middle of the day on a Tuesday and I'm hauling 3 kids around. Do you really not get the picture here? I'm a stay at home mom. I don't have a work number. I don't have a cell phone because I stay at home and therefore what's the point of paying for two phone lines? I do not have a second phone number. Evidently, the membership to this video store is not complete with only one phone number, though, so he suggested a friend's number. I wound up giving him my husband's cell number, which I hope they never try to use because you can't reach me at that number.
He seemed so surprised and annoyed that I didn't have a second number to give him, I felt like a behind-the-times freak. Is it that unusual to have only one phone number? Really? I know I'm one of the odd few to have resisted getting a cell phone, but a lot of the people I know don't actually have a land line, their cell phone being their only phone. I suspect the video store must have had issues with peoples' phone lines being cut off before they got their movies back. It's the only explanation I can think of for them to insist so strongly on having two phone numbers, and it makes some sort of sense, since they're in the middle of an area full of young bohemians. (Yes, I live in that area of the city.) Still, an annoying and odd membership update, especially because the guy was so unyielding.
At least I got to bring home some tribbles. I love those things with a completely unreasonable fondness.
Fine, not a problem. He wanted to see some ID, get our address, and asked for a phone number. Then he wanted a second phone number. When I said I don't have a cell phone, he kind of paused before suggesting a work number. Sir, it's the middle of the day on a Tuesday and I'm hauling 3 kids around. Do you really not get the picture here? I'm a stay at home mom. I don't have a work number. I don't have a cell phone because I stay at home and therefore what's the point of paying for two phone lines? I do not have a second phone number. Evidently, the membership to this video store is not complete with only one phone number, though, so he suggested a friend's number. I wound up giving him my husband's cell number, which I hope they never try to use because you can't reach me at that number.
He seemed so surprised and annoyed that I didn't have a second number to give him, I felt like a behind-the-times freak. Is it that unusual to have only one phone number? Really? I know I'm one of the odd few to have resisted getting a cell phone, but a lot of the people I know don't actually have a land line, their cell phone being their only phone. I suspect the video store must have had issues with peoples' phone lines being cut off before they got their movies back. It's the only explanation I can think of for them to insist so strongly on having two phone numbers, and it makes some sort of sense, since they're in the middle of an area full of young bohemians. (Yes, I live in that area of the city.) Still, an annoying and odd membership update, especially because the guy was so unyielding.
At least I got to bring home some tribbles. I love those things with a completely unreasonable fondness.