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Exercise #756: Self Knowledge
Posted 4/20/18
How do you handle wrong number calls? (Either way; when you make one or when you get one.)
When you make one: Are you apologetic and let the person on the other end know it’s a wrong number? Or do you make a stealth call and immediately hang up?
When you answer one: Are you friendly to the caller or gruff?
With caller ID, it’s not as anonymous as it used to be but there is still some anonymity in wrong numbers. You don’t know them, they don’t know you, and that sometimes allows our true selves to come out of hiding.
For today’s exercise, show us a scene involving a wrong number call, or give us an essay on how you handle them. (You can include an anecdotal personal favorite, if you like. Mine is below.)
As always, you may choose to use a character to answer this exercise.
Critiquers, you might try answering these questions for critiquing the piece:
* Did you catch any spelling errors or other standard proofreading items? If so, note them for the author.
* Could you relate to this piece? Why or why not?
Word limit: 1200
Please use the subject line:
SUB: Exercise #756/yourname
Why this is a self-knowledge exercise: How we treat strangers can sometimes tell us a lot about ourselves. This can be especially true when we aren’t face-to-face with the other person.
My personal favorite: I was dating my now-husband and called (I thought) his number. I got an old woman (funny how you can sometimes tell from the voice). I knew I’d misdialed but I asked for Harry anyway. “No,” the woman replied in a sweet grandmother tone, “but if you dial his number, I’m sure you’ll get him.”
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