I arranged for telephone service for the apartment today. “Paul,” the customer service rep, assigned me a number.
“Paul”: Well, Ryan, I’ll start you off with area code 778 and then give you a few options.
Me: 778?! Really? [sigh]
“Paul”: Yes, I’m afraid so. But you can pick your number from a list of options.
Me: But it’s already ruined, “Paul.”
[both of us laugh]
You see, 778 is the area code Vancouver started using when it ran out of available 604 numbers. But most people have 604 numbers, so when you give someone your number, they automatically assume it begins with 604. It’s very annoying. In fact, there was a Seinfeld episode on this very subject.
At least “Paul” hooked me up with an unlisted number. Perfect for addicts and shut-ins!
July 17th, 2008 at 9:27 am
That is weird because we recently got new cell phones and were able to have the old 604 area code.
By the way I’m having restaurant menus faxed over to your house.
July 17th, 2008 at 11:11 pm
I’ll take any and all menus I can get. (My latest discovery is Me n’ Ed’s Pizza, which is fantastic.)
I think “Paul” is instructed to force a 778 number on any poor soul he can. And in my defence, I was tired and having a moment of weakness… I probably should have put up more of a fight about it, but I just wanted it done.
July 21st, 2008 at 10:42 am
I LOVE area codes.
What about signing up for a cell phone number and then porting it? Why do you have even a landline? It’s all about the VoIP!