Thursday, March 10, 2016
"Want more info? Please don't call."
In pre-Internet times, it was common for radio announcers to talk about events around town and say, "If you'd like more information, call us at..." I almost always hoped no one would call to follow up. Typically, we'd announced everything we knew about the event on the air, and the only other info we had was a phone number that people could call. Most listeners accepted this. Occasionally, however, a listener would persist, even when given the number. (i.e. "So, how many hot air balloons will there be at that event? Will they have pomegranate-boysenberry soda? If so, how much will it cost? What if I have an existential crisis of the soul and have to leave the fairgrounds temporarily? Will I be able to get back in without paying the admission fee again?") Granted, those inquiries are slightly exaggerated. I didn't mind being asked to repeat any of the info about an event that I'd read on the air. It was irritating, however, when people wouldn't accept, "I'm sorry, I don't have that info. Here's the number to call," as an honest answer.