I was listening to a Weird Al song about prank calls and realized you can’t really do them anymore now. Also it was funny that he mentioned dialing 7 digit numbers instead of 10

  • Rhaedas@fedia.io
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    4 months ago

    I remember the shift to using area codes and how everyone was so upset at how difficult that would be. Then the smart phones came, and I wonder how many people now know many of the numbers they might regularly call with one tap,

    • adarza@lemmy.ca
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      4 months ago

      we got a second area code on top of our existing one and had to start 10-digit dialing something like 15 years ago.

      to this day i have yet to encounter anyone with a phone number in that new area code. even the scammers that spoof their cid don’t use that new area code.

      before the switch we could 7-digit dial for 40 miles around us, even across an area code boundary. and, tbh i’d rather have had to switch to a new area code and kept the 7 digit dialing than have to deal with the 10 digit bullshit. it just seems so out of place here in the boonies, hours away from, well, pretty much everything.

      • MutilationWave@lemmy.world
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        4 months ago

        Here in West Virginia the entire state was one area code until some time in the early aughts. I had the opposite experience though it seemed like everyone who got a new phone plan got a number with the new area code so I saw it a lot.

    • tiredofsametab@kbin.run
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      4 months ago

      Where I grew up, we only ever gave the last four digits of our number because the whole town and then some was the same. Later, they changed the area code since it was running out of numbers and then we moved to 10-digit dialing. I remember how weird it felt when things like long distance calls just kinda stopped being a thing

    • Alexstarfire@lemmy.world
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      4 months ago

      I remember the land line I grew up with even though I doubt it even exists anymore. Also, apparently remember my brother’s number even though it was when he got a cell phone. So, no real reason to remember it.

  • CentauriBeau@lemmy.world
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    4 months ago

    Al mentions 7 digits and not 10 because back in our day you had to pay long distance charges if you dialed a number outside of your area code. Therefore only the 7 digits were required because no one was dialing 1-xxx to get to another area code and have charges show up on their parents bill and then have to explain who you were calling and why.

      • samus12345@lemmy.world
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        4 months ago

        “Moe’s Tavern. Hold on, I’ll check. Hey, everybody. I’m a stupid moron with an ugly face and a big butt and my butt smells, and I like to kiss my own butt.”

  • EABOD25@lemm.ee
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    4 months ago

    In the US *67 still works, but people hardly answer unknown numbers anymore. It’s telemarketer’s fault

  • rhacer@lemmy.world
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    4 months ago

    Hello ramble81, I am calling to check if your refrigerator is running… It is? Oh my goodness you better run faster and catch it!

  • CileTheSane@lemmy.ca
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    4 months ago

    People still try. When I worked retail we’d get them often enough as you can’t just not answer an unknown number when someone is calling the store.

    That said, if it’s an unknown number we’re already expecting a prank call and are just waiting for the first excuse to hang up.