We all know that everything is getting more automated all the time.  For example, getting a human being on the telephone is almost impossible.  Take calling the bank, for example.  First, you get a recording that wants you to talk to it.  Doesn’t the bank have any idea how silly we feel sitting around talking to a telephone?

The other thing that has always puzzled me is that the recording always wants to know my account number.  That would be fine, except if I do actually get to talk to a person, I have to repeat the account number for them.  So, what’s the purpose of giving it to the recording?  The only thing I can think of is that the recording can make sure that I’m actually an account holder.  So, why was that instituted?   Did the bank experience a lot of people who are not account holders calling them up all day?  I doubt it.

The other thing that I’ve noticed is that restaurants are less personal.  In the “old days”, if you were waiting for a table, you’d tell the person at the front desk where you’d be, and they’d come and get you.  Now, many restaurants have invested in these disk-type things that are supposed to do something when your table is ready. 

One day a friend and I went out to dinner.  We registered our name and took possession of a large square plastic disk with lights on it.  I guess we both assumed that when we were needed, the lights on the disk would turn on.

We sat at a booth in the bar next to the window to wait, and placed the disk at the edge of the table.   All of a sudden, the plastic disk started vibrating, and in the process, made a noise that sounded like the table was about to explode. 

Being deep in conversation, we were startled to say the least.  In fact, we both did a fairly good imitation of that Garfield character that you stick to your car window with suction cups on his feet.

After peeling ourselves off the windows, we determined that the table was not going to blow up.  Actually, our dinner table was ready.

Needless to say, we needed another drink to calm ourselves before ordering.  Ah, for the good old days….