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.