The Raleigh Sectional Bridge Tournament started on Thursday (yesterday) evening at 7 pm and will last through Sunday. I am the partnership person; if you need a partner or teammate, i’m the one you call. Thus, my name is one of two names on all the tournament fliers and publications.
Occasionally, i get calls that are not related to partnerships, either because people know me or couldn’t get an immediate answer from the tournament chair, which is the other number listed on the fliers.
Thursday night, it’s 8:15 pm when my cell phone vibrates in my pocket. The bridge tournament is in full swing. I’m in the middle of playing a hand, but i glance at my phone to see who is calling. The caller ID says “RESTRICTED”. Of course i can’t answer it, but whoever it was left a message. A few moments later, i have a short break and step into the hallway to hear the following message.
Hello, i am not looking for a partner, i just need to get in touch with the tournament chair and i was hoping you could give me her phone number. I don’t want you to have to pay for this call, so i guess i’ll just keep calling and hope you answer next time.
I am immediately amused by several different things all at once:
- Cell phones are supposed to be off during bridge games (in fact you are penalized if a phone audibly rings). It’s a fluke that i even had my phone on and noticed this phone call.
- It is in the middle of a bridge session! Even if i had my cell phone on, as i did, i can’t just answer the phone in the middle of playing!
- Restricted? How am i supposed to call you back and tell you what you need to know when you block your phone number? Especially when you don’t leave a name or phone number in your message!
- What century are you living in? I live in the 21st century, where people have cell phones, all of which offer free long-distance on most calling plans. You don’t have to worry about whether i will have to pay for the call.
- Where did you get my phone number from anyway? My guess is that it was from a flier or email publicizing our tournament (i don’t know where else it could have been from). Guess what – the phone number you want is listed there right next to mine.
She did in fact call twice more, and of course i was unable to answer both times. I’m very sorry, nice lady from the previous century. I hope you found the information you needed.
February 6th, 2010 9:30 pm
As to number 4, I live in the stone-ages with a Virgin Mobile pay-by-the-minute plan, so I do not have free long-distance, but I still have to pay by the minute whether I am making or receiving the call!