# Listen, when you call me at 1:30 AM.... **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 7, 2012, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/listen-when-you-call-me-at-1-30-am/624349 "2012-06-07T03:02:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2012, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/listen-when-you-call-me-at-1-30-am/624349/21 "2012-06-07T16:58:23Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > “All right, sir, we’ll have somebody there in twenty minutes.” “She’s very nice,but please don’t draw attention to her penis. She’s very sensitive about that.” ---
**Author:** ![Azeotrope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/0ea827/32.png) [@Azeotrope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Azeotrope)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2012, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/listen-when-you-call-me-at-1-30-am/624349/22 "2012-06-07T17:54:56Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > Or even better… “Master Hector will be there in 20 minutes.” _hang up_ I’ll have to remember that one if the calls start again 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2012, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/listen-when-you-call-me-at-1-30-am/624349/23 "2012-06-07T18:35:09Z")
There’s a 1:30 AM? ---
**Author:** ![saoirse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@saoirse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saoirse)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2012, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/listen-when-you-call-me-at-1-30-am/624349/24 "2012-06-08T18:41:45Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > “Mr. **percy**? Hi, this is Chris from Wells Fargo… I’m in a bad place. I’m really drunk and I think I might do something stupid… sorry but I didn’t know who else to call…” _\_ “Mr. **percy**? Hi, this is Chris from Wells Fargo… I was just having a couple beers at the club up the street from your place, and I started thinking about you. Why don’t I stop over and we can talk a while?” ---
**Author:** ![LonesomePolecat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a88e57/32.png) [@LonesomePolecat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LonesomePolecat)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2012, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/listen-when-you-call-me-at-1-30-am/624349/25 "2012-06-08T19:49:36Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > “All right, sir, we’ll have somebody there in twenty minutes.” “Or it’s free!” ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2012, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/listen-when-you-call-me-at-1-30-am/624349/26 "2012-06-08T19:51:21Z")
> [@aruvqan](#): > > I never answer the phone unless I recognize the number/person as well. Unfortunately my wife has a nephew in prison. We’re not allowed to call him, and when he calls it’s always masked as “unavailable,” possibly for privacy reasons. Since not having your calls answered when you’re in prison would _suck_ big-time, we pick up every call, and have to endure all sorts of time-stealing schemes. And since his dad no longer has anything to do with him, I always make time for his calls. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2012, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/listen-when-you-call-me-at-1-30-am/624349/27 "2012-06-08T20:08:38Z")
Whenever I get those calls, I hold on for the human being and cuss them out as best as I can. Then I call the number back and continue to cuss. I’ve yet to get a second call. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2012, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/listen-when-you-call-me-at-1-30-am/624349/28 "2012-06-08T20:43:35Z")
> [@elninost0rm](#): > > You would be correct. It’s an app called “Smart Actions” Also one can use ‘Google Voice’ for just about any nifty call routing you can think of. (Except for hunt groups for some reason, I really wish they had that.) The drawback is that you need to give everybody a new number. You can migrate your number over, but I’ve had enough trouble in the past with Google Voice that I’m hesitant to do that. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2012, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/listen-when-you-call-me-at-1-30-am/624349/29 "2012-06-08T21:30:06Z")
> [@Shakes](#): > > I’m too lazy to look right now but I’m like 90% sure you _can_ do this assuming you have an Andriod OS. I do that constantly. I’ll create a “contact” named DoNotAnswer, then add robocall phone numbers to each slot under it. I set the contact’s ringtone to no ring. When it fills up, I create DNA2, etc. ---
**Author:** ![expectopatronum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/expectopatronum/32/173_2.png) [@expectopatronum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/expectopatronum)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2012, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/listen-when-you-call-me-at-1-30-am/624349/30 "2012-06-09T02:00:48Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > Whenever I get those calls, I hold on for the human being and cuss them out as best as I can. Then I call the number back and continue to cuss. > > I’ve yet to get a second call. stay classy, annie! ---
**Author:** ![PlainJain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5daacb/32.png) [@PlainJain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlainJain)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2012, 9:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/listen-when-you-call-me-at-1-30-am/624349/31 "2012-06-09T09:37:01Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > I’m baffled why they didn’t offer this as a built-in option too, but if you or anyone else is wondering, there is a way to do it by adding a custom silent ringtone. [This site](http://richardkmiller.com/702/iphone-tip-use-a-silent-ringtone-to-screen-calls-in-your-sleep) is one that offers instructions. Thank you so much for that link. All is right with the world again! ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2012, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/listen-when-you-call-me-at-1-30-am/624349/32 "2012-06-09T14:57:35Z")
This is like a stupid commercial come to life - that commercial where the guy is talking to some insurance agent or somebody at 2 in the morning, and his wife is all jealous and, “Who the hell are you talking to at 2 in the morning?” ---
**Author:** ![StarvingButStrong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/starvingbutstrong/32/335_2.png) [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2012, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/listen-when-you-call-me-at-1-30-am/624349/33 "2012-06-09T15:05:59Z")
No, no. First you tell the caller he has to pay in advance, and get credit card info. Second step is up to you: how bad is your mood? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![JohnGalt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johngalt/32/184_2.png) [@JohnGalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnGalt)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2012, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/listen-when-you-call-me-at-1-30-am/624349/34 "2012-06-09T15:52:35Z")
> [@Sailboat](#): > > Unfortunately my wife has a nephew in prison. We’re not allowed to call him, and when he calls it’s always masked as “unavailable,” possibly for privacy reasons. Since not having your calls answered when you’re in prison would _suck_ big-time, we pick up every call, and have to endure all sorts of time-stealing schemes. And since his dad no longer has anything to do with him, I always make time for his calls. We have a similar situation - an unknown caller might be from someone we know who is in a correctional facility. I tell my wife that he probably waited all week for the chance to call, and missing the chance to talk briefly or to pass on some news certainly would suck. However, I’d like to know why the Wisconsin prison system shows up as coming from North Dakota! (Yes, I know, it’s the company handling the calls, but still…) ---
**Author:** ![Ibanez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a4c791/32.png) [@Ibanez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibanez)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2012, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/listen-when-you-call-me-at-1-30-am/624349/35 "2012-06-09T18:40:00Z")
The last late morning call I received was from my ex. “Can me and (her friend) come over?” No. Hang up the phone. I was pissed because I thought it was an emergency. ---
**Author:** ![al27052](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/41988e/32.png) [@al27052](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/al27052)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2012, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/listen-when-you-call-me-at-1-30-am/624349/36 "2012-06-10T03:47:03Z")
I get random porn-spam calls from 800-249-8999. I can’t find out who owns the number, though. ---
**Author:** ![Cold\_Dish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce7236/32.png) [@Cold\_Dish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cold_Dish)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2012, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/listen-when-you-call-me-at-1-30-am/624349/37 "2012-06-11T02:37:21Z")
> **[National Do Not Call Registry](https://www.donotcall.gov/)** > > Register your phone number to report stop or block unwanted, annoying,telemarketing, spam calls, robocalls to the FTC ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2012, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/listen-when-you-call-me-at-1-30-am/624349/38 "2012-06-11T04:49:03Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > I’m baffled why they didn’t offer this as a built-in option too, but if you or anyone else is wondering, there is a way to do it by adding a custom silent ringtone. [This site](http://richardkmiller.com/702/iphone-tip-use-a-silent-ringtone-to-screen-calls-in-your-sleep) is one that offers instructions. This is what I was going to mention. It lets you do what **Chimera** wanted on any phone that allows different rings per person. Though, in my ideal world, it would just go straight to voicemail without even that fake ring. EDIT: > [@expectopatronum](#): > > stay classy, annie! Meh, class is overrated when dealing with classless people. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2012, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/listen-when-you-call-me-at-1-30-am/624349/39 "2012-06-11T04:52:49Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > “Mr. **percy**? Hi, this is Chris from Wells Fargo… I’m in a bad place. I’m really drunk and I think I might do something stupid… sorry but I didn’t know who else to call…” _\_ This totally cracked me up. Couldn’t stop laughing for a good minute or two. ---
**Author:** ![Azeotrope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/0ea827/32.png) [@Azeotrope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Azeotrope)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2012, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/listen-when-you-call-me-at-1-30-am/624349/40 "2012-06-11T13:34:46Z")
> [@StarvingButStrong](#): > > No, no. First you tell the caller he has to pay in advance, and get credit card info. > > Second step is up to you: how bad is your mood? 😉 Oh, I’ve thought about that 😃 A couple times I’ve thanked them for calling and said I’d be happy to give their phone number to the local police department (completely empty threat but it gets them off the phone in record time) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/listen-when-you-call-me-at-1-30-am/624349.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/listen-when-you-call-me-at-1-30-am/624349.md?page=3)