# Solmonath Rants (February Mini Rants) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 2, 2018, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solmonath-rants-february-mini-rants/807992 "2018-02-02T03:14:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2018, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solmonath-rants-february-mini-rants/807992/141 "2018-02-16T16:55:32Z")
Telemarketers love spoofing your local numbers, as in area code and first 3 digits, to trick you into answering. As I don’t know anyone other than my local PetSmart with a local number, I don’t answer them. They just go to voicemail and then I listen to them on my own time. PetSmart (because I have my cat on a plan there) will leave a message, usually a reminder that she’s due for an appointment. At most you’ll get a 2 second dead air voicemail from a telemarketer and I know enough to just delete anything under 5 seconds long without listening to them. As I’ll keep saying; _The Telephone is a Tool That exists for my convenience. When it stops being convenient, I stop using it._ ---
**Author:** ![Mona\_Lisa\_Simpson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ce7236/32.png) [@Mona\_Lisa\_Simpson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mona_Lisa_Simpson)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2018, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solmonath-rants-february-mini-rants/807992/142 "2018-02-16T22:34:09Z")
I get paid the 15th and the last day of the month. Look at today’s date. My cheque should be ready but I was busy and not working yesterday but no problem! My office my bank and my son’s orthodontist are all within 6 blocks of each other. I will go before his appointment, get my cheque, go to the bank then pay the 500 owing before he gets his braces on. The cheques aren’t where they are supposed to be because they aren’t ready. Well, says the manager, they are ready, just not _signed_. The owner is on vacation and will not be in till later this afternoon. None of my bills are affected but I need to pay a big chunk to the orthodontist who is wiring up my son’s mouth as I type this. I’m livid. Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2018, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solmonath-rants-february-mini-rants/807992/143 "2018-02-17T00:52:39Z")
Have they pulled this before, Mona Lisa S? My understanding is that paychecks are rather sacred in the eyes of the local labor dept. I suppose you could file a complaint if this is part of a pattern. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2018, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solmonath-rants-february-mini-rants/807992/144 "2018-02-17T01:41:28Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > 1. Not everyone has a smartphone Who the fuck doesn’t have a smartphone anymore? Other than the fuckwits who are trying to make some kind of point by not having one, of course. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2018, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solmonath-rants-february-mini-rants/807992/145 "2018-02-17T01:46:56Z")
> [@Green\_Bean](#): > > Who the fuck doesn’t have a smartphone anymore? > > Other than the fuckwits who are trying to make some kind of point by not having one, of course. I’m just spitballing here, but I would guess people who can’t afford a smartphone plus a plan don’t have one. ---
**Author:** ![Catamount](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/catamount/32/2840_2.png) [@Catamount](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catamount)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2018, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solmonath-rants-february-mini-rants/807992/146 "2018-02-17T02:03:00Z")
> [@Green\_Bean](#): > > Who the fuck doesn’t have a smartphone anymore? > > Other than the fuckwits who are trying to make some kind of point by not having one, of course. I don’t have one. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2018, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solmonath-rants-february-mini-rants/807992/147 "2018-02-17T02:13:33Z")
Some people just don’t see the need. As long as they don’t still have a dial phone on an old fashioned copper landline, who am I to judge? ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2018, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solmonath-rants-february-mini-rants/807992/148 "2018-02-17T02:23:16Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > When you answer, that’s a win for them, because they have verified that this is a legitimate number. If you talk to them, that’s a double win. > > You can simply hang up as soon as you figure out who it is. IMMEDIATELY. You’ve already learned that talking to the person is futile. They probably do not have any say over what numbers they call. Telemarketing is a thankless job–I always feel like anyone who does it must be desperate. > > Better: screen all calls from unfamiliar numbers until this stops. Would that be so impossible? Do you often get legitimate calls from unfamiliar numbers? In my answer message, I say, “If this is a business call and I don’t know you, please tell me why you are calling.” A real caller-- even an unfamiliar one-- will leave a voicemail. A telemarketer never will. Then, of course, you have to listen to the voicemail, which inexplicably, some on this board never do. I could easily block the number but they change everything but the area code. I know not to answer unknown numbers but I am waiting on a couple of phone calls this week. When they come through and I handle that I have no prob clicking phone ‘off’. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2018, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solmonath-rants-february-mini-rants/807992/149 "2018-02-17T02:55:05Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > When you answer, that’s a win for them, because they have verified that this is a legitimate number. If you talk to them, that’s a double win. > > You can simply hang up as soon as you figure out who it is. IMMEDIATELY. You’ve already learned that talking to the person is futile. They probably do not have any say over what numbers they call. Telemarketing is a thankless job–I always feel like anyone who does it must be desperate. > > Better: screen all calls from unfamiliar numbers until this stops. Would that be so impossible? Do you often get legitimate calls from unfamiliar numbers? In my answer message, I say, “If this is a business call and I don’t know you, please tell me why you are calling.” A real caller-- even an unfamiliar one-- will leave a voicemail. A telemarketer never will. Then, of course, you have to listen to the voicemail, which inexplicably, some on this board never do. I could easily block the number but they change everything but the area code. I know not to answer unknown numbers but I am waiting on a couple of phone calls this week. When they come through and I handle that I have no prob clicking phone ‘off’. ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2018, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solmonath-rants-february-mini-rants/807992/150 "2018-02-17T04:59:19Z")
**Beckdawrek** , if you’re not on the Do Not Call lists already, get on them. That’ll help a little. If you get this same person again and it’s not a robocall, tell them you want a supervisor and tell the supervisor to put you on their internal do not call list. Also tell them that you will be reporting them to the FTC and they are subject to a fine if they continue to harass you. Per call. There are also devices you can buy that will store 1000+ phone numbers for blocking purposes. I have one; one of the best investments I ever made. And, of course, you could always resort to blowing a whistle in their ear. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2018, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solmonath-rants-february-mini-rants/807992/151 "2018-02-17T05:18:15Z")
> [@Green\_Bean](#): > > Who the fuck doesn’t have a smartphone anymore? Er… well… I don’t. Latest stat I saw was about 33% of Americans _don’t_ own a cellphone. In other words, about a third of the country. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2018, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solmonath-rants-february-mini-rants/807992/152 "2018-02-17T05:25:10Z")
Oh, shit! You got to be kidding, what is this device called? I will get one. Whoever, upthread said I only have these ignorant devices for my own selfish needs was right. I would prefer it to live in the bottom of a lake. Except if I had car trouble or something. What did mankind do when you broke down on the road before cell phones? It is amazing how they have taken over our lives. Thanks Morgyn. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2018, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solmonath-rants-february-mini-rants/807992/153 "2018-02-17T05:26:47Z")
> [@Green\_Bean](#): > > Who the fuck doesn’t have a smartphone anymore? > > Other than the fuckwits who are trying to make some kind of point by not having one, of course. > [@Mollie\_Magill](#): > > I’m just spitballing here, but I would guess people who can’t afford a smartphone plus a plan don’t have one. And grandmothers. My mother has a tablet she’s very happy with, but the idea of trying to use her not-completely-stupid phone for more than making calls and a couple of other things we’ve slowly taught her gets her to look like this guy: :eek:[sup]n[/sup] She even has problems receiving calls. If we call her on the cellphone and she’s at home or otherwise has a landline available, she’ll call back on the landline. It took us about six months, with several weekly Q&A sessions, to get her to the point where she could read her whatsapps. Two or three more until she dared answer back without one of her children pointing out the letters on the keyboard. And then one day she actually managed to send a smiley by herself! She was so happy she sent several rows of multiple smileys, just because she could! Grandfathers can be even worse. Some take to technology like fishes to water, and in fact feel very happy and proud that “I’m not dead yet!”. Others will be as frustrated or more as my mother but, instead of handing the phone to their children and saying “can you please clean up the messages from the book club? Some of them write way too much!” they’ve been known to forcefully throw the gizmo against the floor. Having that happen with an Alcatel isn’t good but hey, so long as nobody got hurt. Having it happen with the latest i-anything hell no. ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2018, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solmonath-rants-february-mini-rants/807992/154 "2018-02-17T05:37:53Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Oh, shit! You got to be kidding, what is this device called? I will get one. > Whoever, upthread said I only have these ignorant devices for my own selfish needs was right. I would prefer it to live in the bottom of a lake. Except if I had car trouble or something. What did mankind do when you broke down on the road before cell phones? It is amazing how they have taken over our lives. > Thanks Morgyn. It’s called a call blocker. 😃 I bought [this one](https://smile.amazon.com/T-LOCK-Telephone-Call-Blocker-phoneline/dp/B0765CSHLM) a few years ago; in fact, I think someone here on the Dope recommended it. There are others available (usually more expensive), but this one works well for me. ---
**Author:** ![Mrs\_Ducky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrs_ducky/32/6227_2.png) [@Mrs\_Ducky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrs_Ducky)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2018, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solmonath-rants-february-mini-rants/807992/155 "2018-02-17T12:40:30Z")
> [@Catamount](#): > > I don’t have one. I have a flip phone that is capable of accessing the interwebs and text messaging, but I have no need. My phone is used for voice only and I worked in telecom for 40 years. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Catamount](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/catamount/32/2840_2.png) [@Catamount](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catamount)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2018, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solmonath-rants-february-mini-rants/807992/156 "2018-02-17T13:24:26Z")
> [@Morgyn](#): > > **Beckdawrek** , if you’re not on the Do Not Call lists already, get on them. That’ll help a little. If you get this same person again and it’s not a robocall, tell them you want a supervisor and tell the supervisor to put you on their internal do not call list. Also tell them that you will be reporting them to the FTC and they are subject to a fine if they continue to harass you. Per call. There are also devices you can buy that will store 1000+ phone numbers for blocking purposes. I have one; one of the best investments I ever made.\*\* And, of course, you could always resort to blowing a whistle in their ear\*\*. I’ve had a lot of success with putting the phone right next to my speakers and blasting White Zombie. ---
**Author:** ![Mona\_Lisa\_Simpson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ce7236/32.png) [@Mona\_Lisa\_Simpson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mona_Lisa_Simpson)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2018, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solmonath-rants-february-mini-rants/807992/157 "2018-02-17T16:13:08Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > Have they pulled this before, Mona Lisa S? My understanding is that paychecks are rather sacred in the eyes of the local labor dept. I suppose you could file a complaint if this is part of a pattern. Not to my knowledge. There have been times that the cheques weren’t signed before 6 pm, which is a bit late for a school\* that closes at 4 pm, but this is thenfirst time since I’ve worked there that the cheques were a day late and a whole pay check short. I got a text at 3 they were ready. I was able to get everything covered but the two hours of w.t.f. was not a recommended experience. My supervisor, the senior education administrator is so fed up with the lack of communication at our place, she will be resigning her SEA position to just teach later this year. I was potentially being groomed to take her place but I don’t want it. Her salary is not enough more than mine (and im hourly)to make it worth the stress. Also her salary breaks down to less than a nurse’s hourly wage (we are both nurses) if it was taken over a 70 hour biweekly position. And she puts in way more than 35 hours a week most of the time. Then place is a private career college. It’s a small place, lots of support and also autonomy, great curriculum and our students get jobs. Up front; “everything is awesome”. Behind the scenes; it’s a shambles. ---
**Author:** ![kiz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/7feea3/32.png) [@kiz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kiz)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2018, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solmonath-rants-february-mini-rants/807992/158 "2018-02-18T11:54:18Z")
I just realized something: If I add to a post about something which vehemently rubs me the wrong way, that flash of anger will stay with me IRL. I just yelled at my poor dog who has no idea why I’m suddenly yelling at him ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2018, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solmonath-rants-february-mini-rants/807992/159 "2018-02-18T13:17:39Z")
Poor doggie! Bad dog owner! Bad dog owner! _hitting kiz with a rolled-up newspaper_ ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2018, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solmonath-rants-february-mini-rants/807992/160 "2018-02-18T13:36:18Z")
Time to take a break, **kiz**. I’m fasting from the news (TV and leftie sites), and I swear my BP has dropped 20%. Hmm, if I took a vacation from here, too, my ticker might live to 100… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solmonath-rants-february-mini-rants/807992.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solmonath-rants-february-mini-rants/807992.md?page=9)