Do you use social networking of some kind?

[DGuller]

Precisely the main goal of not being in the phone book is to know precisely who has my number, so I can pick it up without being unduly bothered by spammers, annoying relatives or stupid clients.

When I got my latest VoIP landline, spammers knew my number before I did.

Spammer:  "Is 555-1234 your number?"
Me:            "I don't know."
Spammer:  "How do you not know your number?"
Me:            "How do you know my number?"

That conversation didn't go anywhere.

[Barrister]

I'm not even in the phone book.

Same. I don't answer the door either. I'll make sure you have my number if I want you to be able to contact me directly. Else, use email or call the office.

I never answer my phones and rarely go outside. On the rare occasions that I do, I wear a mask and latex gloves. I sign all documents with a stamp facsimile of an "x".

I have a good reason for not being in the book.  I don't want some mook who I prosecuted being able to call me at home.

[Martinus]

Speaking of spammers, I just set up my mobile phone account today so it blocks all incoming calls from "restricted" numbers - anyone whose phone number does not show is not going to be put through and instead will hear a message that he needs to call from a phone with non-hidden number to get through. Works like a charm.

[Iormlund]

Precisely the main goal of not being in the phone book is to know precisely who has my number, so I can pick it up without being unduly bothered by spammers, annoying relatives or stupid clients.

When I got my latest VoIP landline, spammers knew my number before I did.

Spammer:  "Is 555-1234 your number?"
Me:            "I don't know."
Spammer:  "How do you not know your number?"
Me:            "How do you know my number?"

That conversation didn't go anywhere.

I don't know my landline number. I only use the landline for DSL. It is not connected to a phone terminal.

[MadImmortalMan]

I don't know my landline number. I only use the landline for DSL. It is not connected to a phone terminal.

Yeah no kidding. The other day, my landine phone rang, and I thought wtf is that? Took a minute for it to dawn on me. 

[Martinus]

Same here. Whenever my landline phone rings, I can bet it's a telemarketer or a survey person.

[DontSayBanana]

I had MySpace... back when I was still in high school.  I seriously haven't touched that in almost ten years.

MySpace was only launched eight years ago.

You think?  I used it in 2004, and that was it.  7 years.  Ergo, almost 10 years.

[Razgovory]

Precisely the main goal of not being in the phone book is to know precisely who has my number, so I can pick it up without being unduly bothered by spammers, annoying relatives or stupid clients.

When I got my latest VoIP landline, spammers knew my number before I did.

Spammer:  "Is 555-1234 your number?"
Me:            "I don't know."
Spammer:  "How do you not know your number?"
Me:            "How do you know my number?"

That conversation didn't go anywhere.

  I don't even own a cell phone.  Since I never go anywhere they seemed like a waste of money.  I used to, but it went dead and I felt the need to get a new one.

[Eddie Teach]

Spammer:  "Is 555-1234 your number?"
Me:            "I don't know."

Sounds like a fake number to me.

[Caliga]

I ended up joining Facebook this year for the purpose of talking to my own mother.

Can't you just shout up the stairs?

[Razgovory]

I ended up joining Facebook this year for the purpose of talking to my own mother.

Can't you just shout up the stairs?

This is when she left for Illinois.

[Caliga]

Oh, right.

[CountDeMoney]

Oh, right.

lol, insensitive ass.

[CountDeMoney]

You can guarantee any potential, and probably current employer will check you out on both of these. Not having an account looks like you're hiding something. LinkedIn groups are good for getting information in your profession, it's not just individuals circle-jerking for recommendations.

Still sounds pretty fucking stupid.  And I bet there's more circle-jerking for recommendations than you think.

[CountDeMoney]

If I started a Twitter broadcast, would you guys subscribe?  Imagine my pity observations and ruminations throughout the day at 140 characters max.