Re: 55th birthday Zip Code System

NYC Susan · ‎03-13-2010

@CelticCrafter wrote:
@IMW wrote:
In NYC we have the 5 digit zip plus an additional 4.
All calls need 3 digit area code- that’s 10 digits.
The security code on credit cards, all logins and pws.

I remember phone exchanges when they had names, the postal code was 2 numbers, etc, etc.

Its enough to make my head spin! We adapt and go on.
In NJ where I live, we have to dial a 1 then the area code, then number - even if I'm calling my next door neighbor!

I have a home in NJ, and I never dial "1" before the area code. I guess that must be just in some parts of NJ?

NYC Susan · ‎03-13-2010

@MoodeeFan wrote:
@mimomof4 wrote:
I remember dialing only 4 numbers to call someone on a rotary phone. These days I don't even have a home phone.

I also remember people being up in arms when we had an area code change but now they are more common place.
This reminds me of the opening scene of the film "Move Over Darling" when Doris Day's character is trying to call her home (in California) from a pay phone after being on a desert island for 7 years.

She doesn't know about the area code and the operator tries to explain it to her with much confusion... Well it made me laugh

PS: What I really love in the movie is James Garner

I loved that movie!

MoodeeFan · ‎10-13-2016

@NYC Susan wrote:
@CelticCrafter wrote:
@IMW wrote:
In NYC we have the 5 digit zip plus an additional 4.
All calls need 3 digit area code- that’s 10 digits.
The security code on credit cards, all logins and pws.

I remember phone exchanges when they had names, the postal code was 2 numbers, etc, etc.

Its enough to make my head spin! We adapt and go on.
In NJ where I live, we have to dial a 1 then the area code, then number - even if I'm calling my next door neighbor!

I have a home in NJ, and I never dial "1" before the area code. I guess that must be just in some parts of NJ?

In this part of Arizona, we have three area codes! We have to dial 1, then the area code, different from our own, to call family/friends 30 miles away.

When we moved in this area,18 years ago from a nearby city, we had one zip code. It changed three times in the first three years.

MoodeeFan · ‎10-13-2016

@goldensrbest wrote:
I remember party lines.

It was a hoot to listen in on them! Some would tie up the line soooo long, we would break in and say "This is the operator, please release the line." I think they knew we were kids playing a joke.

MoodeeFan · ‎10-13-2016

@Peaches McPhee wrote:
55? I am 58 and remember the adults talking about this when I was a kid. I could not have remembered that from age 3.. I wonder if it was a slow roll out and did not hit my area until some years later. Or if I am not remembering correctly . . .

Here is what the USPS site has:

"During World War II, thousands of experienced postal employees left to serve with the military. To offset the loss, in May 1943 the Post Office Department began a zoning address system in 124 of the largest cities. Under this system, delivery units or zones were identified by one or two numbers between the city and state — for example, Birmingham 7, Alabama — so that mail could be separated by employees who did not have detailed scheme knowledge.

Twenty years later, the Department implemented an even farther reaching plan, the Zoning Improvement Plan (ZIP) Code."

There is more under the USPS web site.

MoodeeFan · ‎10-13-2016

@sidsmom wrote:
Seatbelts.
TX began enforcing it back in ‘85 (had to look it up!) but I remember forgetting many times. Today I feel naked if I don’t have my seatbelt on!

AZ made it law, I think back in the late 80s or early 90s.

Anyway, one day when our daughter was about 4 years old she was in her carseat in the backseat, in the middle, and my FIL was riding back there too. But he did not wear a seatbelt in his car and he did not intend to wear one that day, so she told him "You need to buckle up grandpa, or we don't move." She said it with such authority that he did "buckle up!" She also gave him her "firestarter" look which meant she wasn't kidding.

Years later while riding on a shuttle bus for the college class commute, she said she was uncomfortable because the shuttle did not have seatbelts. Like you, she felt naked!

MoodeeFan · ‎10-13-2016

@jeanlake wrote:
@Shanus Texting is my kids (30s) preferred mode of communications. Sometimes I tell them to call so I can hear their voices, but either way, always great to hear from them. AND with texting - they often attach photos.

I held onto my old android phone for a while because nothing was wrong with it. Caved and updated. New phone truly has better features. Makes you wonder what new technology is coming down the pike. Reminder to self -- remain flexible! Grandchildren are watching....

Some technology is good, but it all has a downside. The people who over use it tend to be unable to engage in social niceties. Such as eye contact when speaking to someone. Or, taking turns in conversations.

If I had family far away, then I would use something like Skype, so I could see them as well talk to them. Otherwise, call me - it is faster than a text or email.

NYC Susan · ‎03-13-2010

@MoodeeFan wrote:
@NYC Susan wrote:
@CelticCrafter wrote:
@IMW wrote:
In NYC we have the 5 digit zip plus an additional 4.
All calls need 3 digit area code- that’s 10 digits.
The security code on credit cards, all logins and pws.

I remember phone exchanges when they had names, the postal code was 2 numbers, etc, etc.

Its enough to make my head spin! We adapt and go on.
In NJ where I live, we have to dial a 1 then the area code, then number - even if I'm calling my next door neighbor!

I have a home in NJ, and I never dial "1" before the area code. I guess that must be just in some parts of NJ?
In this part of Arizona, we have three area codes! We have to dial 1, then the area code, different from our own, to call family/friends 30 miles away.

When we moved in this area,18 years ago from a nearby city, we had one zip code. It changed three times in the first three years.

Oh, we have a lot of area codes too! And we have to dial the whole number, complete with area code, even if the person lives next door. It's been that way for awhile.

We don't have to dial 1, though. At least I don't, in any of my current homes in NY and NJ.