Employee: Okay, I’m going to hang up now, but I want you to continue talking.
524 West 57th Street
New York, New York
Employee: Okay, I’m going to hang up now, but I want you to continue talking.
524 West 57th Street
New York, New York
Woman on phone with son: Jason*! Jason! I can’t talk to you now. I’m in a meeting… I know I’m always in a meeting… I can’t try not to schedule meetings when you get out of school. Yes, you can talk to me for three hours when I get home… I can’t listen to what happened to you today, Jason! Don’t call me back, do you hear me, Jason?! [Hangs up phone. It rings again.] Oh my god, why do kids need attention?!
Rochelle Park, New Jersey
Overheard by: Cubicle Right Outside
Young man #1: Would you rather take a shit right here in the mall and get arrested and laughed at, or have Mike Ditka sit on your face?
Young man #2: Dude, I’m on the phone… No, Mom, that was just some guy… Mike Ditka is an old football coach, Mom… No, he’s not here, he’s in Hollywood or somethin’.
Circle Centre Mall
Indianapolis, Indiana
Receptionist: Thank you for calling ABC Company*. How may I assist you?
Caller: Is Bob*, Tom*, or Larry* available?
Receptionist: Yes, sir, all three are available. Do you have a preference?
Caller: Sexual?
Receptionist: [Long, awkward silence.] No, sir, I meant do you have a preference for who you’d like to speak to?
Caller: Um… Just pick whoever’s cutest and makes more money.
Receptionist: Ummm… Okay… It’s a pleasure to connect you…
16th Street and L Street NW
Washington, DC
Overheard by: I can’t believe I work here…
Coworker on phone: Well, while you’re waiting you should warm up the manatee.
11150 Santa Monica Boulevard
Los Angeles, California
Investigative journalist on phone: Honey, please, you’ve got to get me those records. Without them we don’t have a story! In order to do this story, I really need you to get me those records, honey. I know you have access to them… Well, no, you won’t technically be lying to the police.
TV news show
New York, New York
Overheard by: Lindsay
Telephone salesperson: May I please speak to Eric Smith*?
Receptionist: He doesn’t work here any more, can I take a message?
Telephone salesperson: No, that’s okay, I’ll call him back.
1270 Broadway
New York, New York
Overheard by: Brian
Drone on phone: Slammed, yeah. This new account is kicking my ass. Why is Burt Reynolds coming? I thought he was dead.
Braselton, Georgia
Girl: Is this gonna be one of those phone conversations where you talk to yourself for 10 minutes and I just kinda listen?
Student Union, East Carolina University
Greenville, North Carolina
Woman on phone: So, are we talking about the left-hand chicken, or the one o’clock chicken?
Kansas City, Missouri
