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Last week I had a funny experience at the Public Library. I asked the downstairs librarian to put a book on hold for me - because I'm very traditional and like to start at the beginning of a series instead of on the third book, which was the only one available - and she very politely acquiesced. (Actually, all of our librarians are very polite. Maybe it's because they see me at least twice a week, or maybe they're just great people. Either way, I always leave that place with an armful of books and a smile.)
Anyway, this very polite librarian asked me if the phone number they had on file was still our current number. I didn't know which number they had on file, so I asked her. As she recited it to me, she dropped her voice to a whisper and leaned forward so as not to broadcast our information to others in the library. It made me smile a little, because, you know, it's not like it was a credit card number or something. Plus, the only people within earshot were innocent-looking elementary-aged children. I guess you can't be too careful. They could have been eight-year-old computer-hacking billionaires, for all I know.
Later at home, I couldn't stop thinking about that seemingly insignificant incident. Sure, it was just a phone number, but think about it. In this day and age, with cell phones, instant messaging, Google Earth - how private can you really be? And do you even want to be? I mean, personal blogs are popping up everywhere you look (if you think hard, I bet you even know someone who blogs). People voluntarily share all their doings with any freaky weirdo who wants to drop by. I don't want to point fingers, but I recently heard of a blogger who created an entire post about missing nail clippers, of all things. TMI, anyone?
So, thanks, library lady. Not just for being so polite, but for respecting my privacy. See you on Wednesday.
4 hours ago
20 comments:
it's funny - but since I never remember what I did with my frequent shopper card I always have to recite my phone number at the grocery store...
The upside: I never forget my phone number anymore
The downside: Some strange hottie might commit it to memory and give me a ring just to see if he can borrow some of the spaghetti sauce I just bought... did I say downside? Yes, yes I did - especially if my hubby is reading this!
I like to stand extra close to people when they are entering their pin numbers, to make them really uncomfortable. And steal them, of course. Is that wrong?
I actually compliment people when they ask to see my ID when I sign the credit card slip. There are so many ways for people to invade our lives, it's frightening. I guess farmers didn't have time dig through their neighbor's trash to steal their identity. Darn crops! There is just too much time on people's hands to be crazy. That was very nice of your librarian. They always seem like lovely people :)
Beware of the eight-year-old computer hackers.
Sometimes I feel nervous about my complete disregard of keeping my personal information secret. I even use my family's real names on my blog. And yes, I do not get all of those credit card applications shredded before they enter the dustbin.
I just pray that no one takes advantage of my bank account, which probably would not be worth it.
You can't be private at all. But she was sweet to try!
How nice of her... Give a phone to an elementary student and you are asking for nothing but prank calls... because they don't understand caller id. Seriously though, I wish we didn't have to worry about such things.
Have you never heard of cute little eight-year olds making prank phone calls! I'd be careful if I were you!!!
:~D
Whenever my husband enters his pin number he does fake outs. Mostly to be funny, but I think he's paranoid, really.
So sweet of her to at least try. But you're totally right. We almost don't think anymore about what infor is easily availabe.
Anyone who wanted to could track me down very easily, just by reading through my archives and putting 2 and 2 together.
Sometimes that really bugs me. Sometimes not at all.
That is so sweet she gives you your privacy. Now if you get a prank phone call, it's probably her...
Well, there are some things I figure we can't keep very private (like phone numbers are in the phone book and many are even in online listings) and a lot of people have public email listings on blogs or facebook (a lot of people have phone numbers on facebook too). I figure those are things people can get at if they really want them...
BUT, there are some few things I can protect, such as my kids names. I figure they are minors and I want to protect them so long as they are.
The librarians at my library are always so polite to me too. I figure they know that all my late fines pay their salary.
I think you should change your post title to "Privacy: An Urban Legend."
This is kind of like that social graces book you sent me! Yes, I am reading it (and enjoying it too).
Don't they always whisper at libraries? :)
I think privacy may be a thing of the past. I should probably be more concerned with keeping my life private, but I prefer letting anyone and everyone know my daily toughts and struggles. That's just who I am....
Man, I'm thinking hard but I can't come up with a single blogger. Is this a trick question?
Interesting. I think she's very nice to respect your privacy, even if it's not necessary. :)
These thoughts get me thinking.
Sometimes methinks that there's no POINT in locking up the house every night because if someone really wants to rob my house, they will.
And sometimes I double check every window and door.
(It's the same thing in the cyberworld.)
Oh my heck, I DO know some bloggers! I better watch out!
Seriously, though. Between my husband and I we've experienced "identity theft" in a few different forms 3 times in the past 5 years. (I feel like the guy in Central Park who gets mugged every 5 seconds. SNL, anyone?) So we get a little crazy with numbers of all sorts.
That said, we have also encountered fantastic assistance from banks and credit card companies in resolving the issue every time. It's still a pain in the rear, but we've never been out any money, even. I'm sure it could be worse.
Privacy is a huge lawsuit issue, too. Working in a school we have to be so careful. She was protecting you AND herself.
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