OT: Whatever happened to "Is that you, ___?"

[Lockjaw]

Remember, before everyone had their own cell phone, when you called a family member or friend at home (on their land line), and someone, other than the person you expected, picked up the receiver?  Often,  it was one of the kids in the house who answered the phone, maybe one of your friend's kids, a nephew, or a grandchild.  Upon hearing that kid's voice, more than likely, you said something like, "Is that you, ___?"  What followed was a chance encounter, a chance conversation that could not be screened by caller ID and postponed to the answering machine graveyard.  Texting, of course, and all of the other social media keep everybody spontaneously interacting all the time, but I'm not sure if that's the same thing as the chance conversation, using the only phone in the house.  Cell phones are great, but whenever technology advances, there are lots of small things that pass away without anybody noticing.

[mo doc n]

Funny we were just talking about this @ Maywood over some drinks.
It's amazing what you can find on youtube ~ all the episodes of Lucy , Three Stooges , Frank Sinatra etc. O&S who is getting very old this year loves the fact he can talk into his phone and get whatever information he is looking for.

Yes you lose the personal things but your gaining so much precious time too.

 

[careless hal]

I first met my future wife when I called my friend's house and his wife answered the phone. Well, I thought it was his wife so I started flirting with her.  Turns out my friend and his wife went out and I was talking to the babysitter.   I guess I scared the sh@t out of the youngster.
Seven years later I married the babbysitter.(So, I robed the cradle)

[The Skipper]

I first met my future wife when I called my friend's house and his wife answered the phone. Well, I thought it was his wife so I started flirting with her.  Turns out my friend and his wife went out and I was talking to the babysitter.   I guess I scared the sh@t out of the youngster.
Seven years later I married the babbysitter.(So, I robed the cradle)

Has she gotten her eyes fixed yet ?   

[The Skipper]

Good post LJ, I still hate texting the kids and grandkids I love the sound of their voice, you can't find

a lot of emotion in text. 

[AmyHollar]

I think it is easier to open up thru texting. Just like letter writing of old. I also like the ability to text several people at once and not have to repeat over and over. It all may seem impersonal but due to the ease of communication relationships are easier to maintain and I think make this crazy world a lite more rewarding. 

[LVGaryD]

Has she gotten her eyes fixed yet ?   

[tonyb147]

I remember as a young lad calling friends and having either their mom or dad answer the phone. I was taught not to just say "is Billy home?" but instead say "hi Mr. xxxxx, this is TonyB. How are you?" and only after acknowledging the adult did I ask to speak to Billy. Today's utes have cell phones before reaching puberty and don't ever have to talk to an adult when calling their friends.

How about pre caller-id? It's rare today to take a call not knowing who is calling.

[LVGaryD]

I remember as a young lad calling friends and having either their mom or dad answer the phone. I was taught not to just say "is Billy home?" but instead say "hi Mr. xxxxx, this is TonyB. How are you?" and only after acknowledging the adult did I ask to speak to Billy. Today's utes have cell phones before reaching puberty and don't ever have to talk to an adult when calling their friends.

How about pre caller-id? It's rare today to take a call not knowing who is calling.

AND back then, we did not ever, ever smart off to any adults other than our parents on the rare occasion when we felt like we needed our asses kicked.

 

[Jeremy]

I always get annoyed when I answer the phone at work and people just say 'Is ____ there' or 'I need to talk to _____', usually without even saying who they are. 

People that have bad phone manners are usually informed the person they want to talk to is not available.

[Just Saying]

AND back then, we did not ever, ever smart off to any adults other than our parents on the rare occasion when we felt like we needed our asses kicked.

 

When my beautiful blonde daughter was school-age the phone rang a lot. If the call started with "Is **** there?" I'd say yes and hang up the phone. She'd ask who it was? I'd say, "Some little prick with no phone manners." She'd scowl at Dad, but it wasn't long before some very polite young lads would call and ask to speak to her. She's been married to the best one for many years... and I never even had to threaten his life. (I helped one little bastard through a door without openining it. My bad...)

[The Giss]

We have four (alleged) adults living in the house. So Mr Gisser could be two different people, as could Ms Gisser. People who know it and make the error usually apoligze.
I love it when the solicitors do the whole pitch for me when they want my son. So I say, you have the wrong Mr Gisser. Oh, could we speak to Kyle. He isn't here. Ok, we will call at a better time. (Without asking what a better time would be).
There was a time when being a phone solicitor was an honorable profession. No more.

[Jeremy]

If phone solicitors keep calling, tell them they need to reach the person at 985-655-2500

[Just Saying]

When my beautiful blonde daughter was school-age the phone rang a lot. If the call started with "Is **** there?" I'd say yes and hang up the phone. She'd ask who it was? I'd say, "Some little prick with no phone manners." She'd scowl at Dad, but it wasn't long before some very polite young lads would call and ask to speak to her. She's been married to the best one for many years... and I never even had to threaten his life. (I helped one little bastard through a door without openining it. My bad...)

I still look back fondly on having to replace that door, because if he had mistreated my little girl I'd still be in prison. He's never gotten near me in over 20 years. Apparently he's smarter than I had him figgered. ps He still likes to beat up girls.