Phone numbers used to be an identity marker. Growing up, I knew everyone’s phone number. I had it all memorized. I knew all of our numbers. I knew all of my aunt’s and uncle’s numbers. I knew phone numbers of my friends. If I called you I had your number memorized. I don’t know about you, but it was fairly easy to remember 7 digits. I would commit it to memory and it’d be there.
Today, I can barely remember my phone number. I also have a Google Voice number, and I can barely remember that number. I couldn’t even tell you my phone number to the phone in my office. It just kinda sits there. Please don’t tell my boss – they don’t read my blog so it’s cool. They might try to call me on my office phone.
Phone numbers used to be tied to identity. I don’t even see the number on my phone. I just put it in and you picture shows up when I text or call you. Sorry.
How many phone numbers do you have memorized? It’s not longer tied to our identities is it?
I know Jenny’s number.
identitySPECIALIST 
This was an Aha! read for me. Thank you. 🙂 I cited this blog post in my latest blog post, if that’s okay.
Thank you very much for using the blog post. I read your blog post and totally enjoyed your post. I like how you articulated how hard it is to change phone numbers – especially when our identities are tied into them. Thank you for the post and for the link love.
Thank you for reading and enjoying my blog post! I was in the process of changing phone numbers (was actually writing about it already) when your post got online.
Some of my friends told me that they felt the same way about changing numbers, or even just having a secondary number. And then there are my friends that have three numbers! I just don’t know how they manage. One each for the major Philippine telecoms network.
Are you in the Philippines? 3 numbers? I can barely manage one.
Yes, I am! Same here… I don’t know how they manage all their numbers.
That’s great. Where in PI are you from? I have family in Manila and in Cagayan.
I’m from Laguna. 🙂 I have relatives in Manila and in Batangas. And I have relatives in the US too (in California, mostly).
As far as my phone numbers are concerned, the old one’s still alive (barely) and I’m almost used to reciting my new number when people ask for it.
That’s great. It’s beautiful in Laguna. Where in California? I’m in California. I might know your relatives. Haha. They might have my phone number? hahaha.
I don’t even remember numbers any more – but that’s what the post talked about. How are you today?
For some reason, phone numbers are my thing. I can remember loads of numbers and have no idea why because I don’t do it on purpose.
I used to be like that. Not any more.
How about the identity thing? Do you connect with your phone number on that level?
Oh yes, so and so is that number. It frustrates my family very much.
I can remember a few numbers now-a-days, but back when I was a kid…totally different story. I was a walking phone book! But I do know my own numbers, even my google voice! ;-P
You are way better than I am. Thanks for reading.