That was my first job, probably when I was working in my mom's office at my private school...which was mumble mumble mumble, about 1954. I am pretty sure I was in "middle school" either 7th or 8th grade, having graduated from folding and stapling things and stuffing envelopes.
I loved trying to figure out answers to questions, like where was Mr. so-and-so, since he didn't answer his office phone. (Who knew?) And how to get to the school, when I didn't even drive yet. I don't think I kept this part time job very long. But it was the forerunner of many administrative jobs to come in my life. I bet I've answered phones for so many times and so many hours, maybe the total would be years if I tried adding it all up!
And instead of having a phone table in the hallway of a home, we started having a phone in every room. Goodness!
Kitchen phones often had an extra long curly cord, which got all kinked up while I spoke to someone with the receiver tucked on my shoulder.
I'll never forget the Ma Bell marketing which would try to put a phone in the bathroom also. Really now! I need some privacy please.
Thanks for reading, and for your comments!
The thought of a phone in every room is frightening. We have one phone and one extension only I'm pleased to say. I have been in hotels with phone extensions in the bathroom - fortunately I never received any calls.
ReplyDeleteI really wanted a pink princess phone when I was a girl, but I was told we only needed one phone. My how things have changed!
ReplyDeleteOh the sweet, sweet sight of phones- that are slowly disappearing as many folks don't even have land lines any longer (we do!) they just own these cell phones that are an extension to their limbs!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I have been hoping to see a collection of phones over the years including my favorite, the kitchen phone. But, I knew we had really arrived when we got our first trim-line. :)
ReplyDeleteAll those phones - they have been the backdrop of our lives haven't they? Mind you, in my case, the size of the phones has moved in inverse proportion to the size of my waist!
ReplyDeleteI assume the extra long cord for the kitchen phone enabled you to do the dishes and the talking at the same time. That's when efficiency entered our houses :)
ReplyDeleteAnd a phone in the bathroom? Never!!
Enjoyed your post, thanks.
I had a Princess phone, too! It was blue (a cast-off from my parents' bedroom) and I absolutely hated the color, but it was better than no phone at all! How times have changed.
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear from all you folks from Sepia Saturday. I've also enjoyed reading your interesting and diverse posts. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteFun look at different phone styles. Ah, the rotary dial! I'm not even sure my kids know what that is or have ever used one. Wow!
ReplyDeleteI was jealous of my friend who had a pink Princess phone. We were a one-phone family for a long time. When I went to college, my parents bought a new house and graduated to 2 phones. Probably beige.
ReplyDeleteHad that 1960s one down in our family room. Oh, I spent many hours gabbing on THAT phone!
ReplyDeleteI had a princess phone in the late 60's, early 70's and thought I was just so cool! Mine was pink too!!!
ReplyDelete