I'm somebody now! Millions of people look at this book everyday! This is the kind of spontaneous publicity - your name in print - that makes people. I'm in print! Things are going to start happening to me now.
— Navin R. Johnson, The Jerk c. 1979
Went out this morning to drag the recycling can to the curb. Convenient given that the new phone books had been delivered to my driveway overnight. I promptly deposited them into the receptacle.
I can't remember the last time I used a phone book, be it White or Yellow pages…
Maybe it worked when The Jerk was released in 1979, but who in this day and age pays to advertise in the Yellow Pages?
When is the last time you used a phone book?
Technorati Tags: Steve Martin, Yellow Pages, bad marketing ideas
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B.R. 10.06.07 at 9:29 pm
Jay, you would be suprised… the phone book is still the default alternative to the internet.
Jay - The Phoenix Real Estate Guy 10.06.07 at 10:03 pm
There’s an alternative to the Internet?
I think the Yellow pages are dying. Even my mother, who just got a cell phone last year, doesn’t use them.
Brian Brady 10.06.07 at 10:47 pm
What IS that yellow book?
Todd Carpenter 10.06.07 at 11:15 pm
My brother owns a fireplace and wood stove store in Denver. He pays thousands of dollars every month in Yellow Pages Ads. Sounds crazy, but it’s (by a huge margin) the most popular way new customers find him. He said he would likely pay double for what he get’s out of it.
I use mine to get my Big Green Egg fired up.
April Groves 10.07.07 at 7:25 am
Last Wednesday…the chinese take out place has their menu listed in it. I suppose I could just rip out the page and throw the rest out, but then I am certain I would lose it
Studio Equipment 10.07.07 at 9:28 am
You will be surprised. There are land line phones and addresses that still need to be found and business that you desperately want to find and you may just not have a computer or an equivalent available. No the time for a requiem for the telephone directory or the yellow pages has not yet come.
Nick Bastian 10.07.07 at 10:18 am
How funny.. The last time we used a phone book was to look at a Chinese take out menu. Other than that, they annoy me because of the amount of “junk drawer” space they take up.
Mariana - Springs Realty Scoop 10.07.07 at 11:25 am
Jay, I love the Jerk - and I also love the phone book. My sons and I use them to stoke fires, make airplanes, and have crumpled paper wars - oh, and they make great booster seats for our young dinner guests.
Candice Vicha 10.07.07 at 11:31 am
I use them all the time. Sometimes it’s helpful to have a consolidated list of what you’re looking for. It is silly to get about 4 different versions, though. Talk about a waste of resources.
Maureen Francis 10.07.07 at 11:52 am
I haven’t had a land line since long before the war. That sounds funny, doesn’t it.
I got peeved at the phone book company when they threw the stupid and unneeded book through my screen door last month. Jerks.
Nickie 10.07.07 at 12:22 pm
Actually, I moved recently and walked out one morning to a flat tire. I was due for tires anyway, so I grabbed the book that had just been delivered and found the tire store that was closest.
Oh, and yeah, I have checked out the Chinese menu too.
Carole Cohen 10.07.07 at 12:34 pm
This made me laugh out loud. I used to work for Donnelley Directory and we did the yellow book for the phone company. And yes as you said, this was back when everyone was without the Internet. Now? The books appear on my front porch and they never make it into the house. I have to admit it has more to do with not seeing it as well as I did when I was a young thing. I would use it if I could to see the ads for nostalgia purposes
Jay - The Phoenix Real Estate Guy 10.07.07 at 5:09 pm
Interesting. Seems Chinese restaurant menus are the mainstay of the Yellow Pages. (and a good idea for them if I do say so)
Todd - how do you like that Big Green Egg? I’ll be needing a replacement ‘Q soon and have always wondered about them…
Sorry about your door Mo….
Rick 10.07.07 at 5:23 pm
Phone books still have one very good use!!
Ever needed a calling list in print?
Jay - The Phoenix Real Estate Guy 10.08.07 at 5:29 pm
“Ever needed a calling list in print?”
Not really. I abhor cold calling.
Ron Ares 10.08.07 at 6:37 pm
You’ve anticipated a rant I’ve had idling in my Wordpress to-be-finished pile…
Not only are they becoming increasingly irrelevant, but in Portland we have two major phone companies (Qwerst and Verizon) that each have their own Yellow and White Pages, plus a “hyperlocal” version for the suburban markets….not to mention the 3rd party publishers (of which there are at least two).
By my count, that’s 8 phone books….totally unnecessary. Isn’t there an OPT-OUT site for phone books?