Telephone Tuesday
It's that unofficial transition day, when summer's last hurrah gives way to the everyday hustle, and white clothing quietly retires.
The day after Labor Day can be a busy time following such a fun, end-of-summer holiday weekend. In fact, there is so much to do and so many calls to make on this day that it has been dubbed Telephone Tuesday.
So get ready to make and receive some calls on this, one of the busiest phone call days of the year!
History of Telephone Tuesday
When the telephone was invented, more than a century in the 1880s, the world was changed forever. It may have started slowly, with a few telephone lines put into some major cities, but the technology blossomed all over the world. By the middle of the 20th century, the majority of homes in the United States had a telephone. And by 1998, the number of telephones in the nation surpassed the number of people.
And even though the use of the internet and email has certainly changed the way that modern people use their phones, there are still some things that have to be accomplished with a phone call. And Telephone Tuesday is here for it!
Telephone Tuesday is the day that there seem to be more calls made in the United States than any other day. Situated on the day after the Labor Day holiday weekend, perhaps it makes sense that calls are flooding that weren’t made over the holiday weekend.
This is also a time when people tend to want to check boxes off of their to-do lists, including doing things they’ve been putting off, like making doctor appointments or calling the dentist. Or it could be a time to make a call to the auto repairman about the mysterious dent that showed up in the bumper over the weekend.
Just remember that the person on the other end of the line is probably having a busy Telephone Tuesday, so be sure to give them some extra patience on this day – and perhaps every day!
How to Celebrate Telephone Tuesday
Those who are looking for interesting ways to celebrate Telephone Tuesday need to look no further! Check out some of these ideas for observing the day and making it special:
Make a Phone Call
Some folks have gotten pretty far away from making actual phone calls. With a range of communication options from emails to texts to video chats, the idea of making just a regular old telephone call might feel a bit strange. But Telephone Tuesday might be the perfect time to make a phone call, whether to a business to set up an appointment or calling a friend just to say hello. Certainly, Mom, Grandma, or Aunt Betty would be thrilled to receive a telephone call on this day!
Learn More About the Telephone
An excellent way to pay homage to this unique communication device on Telephone Tuesday might be to learn and share some fun facts about the phone. Check out and share some of these interesting tidbits of information about the telephone, or do a quick online search and come up with some of your own:
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In the 1990s there were more than two million pay phones that were in existence in the United States, but the advent of the mobile cell phone changed that. Now there are only about 100,000 pay phones left in the entire nation.
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Alexander Graham Bell’s suggestion for the word to use when answering the phone was “ahoy”, but it was Thomas Edison who felt “hello” was better. People in many countries all over the world often use this greeting, even in non-English-speaking places.
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The first working mobile phone was invented in 1983. Made by Motorola, this wireless phone took ten hours to charge and could be used for only 30 minutes!
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Telephones used to work with a human switchboard operator. The caller would dial up the operator, tell them to whom they wanted to place their call, and the operator would plug the wires in manually.
Be Kind Today
Those who work for a company or in an industry where they receive a large number of phone calls might find this day to be a bit challenging! But going into the day prepared with the proper mindset is half the battle. Instead of getting annoyed or stressed out by the inordinate number of phone calls received on Telephone Tuesday, just take a deep breath and remember that each person deserves to take their turn to make their appointment, have their questions answered or get whatever service it is that they need.
Create a Telephone Tuesday Playlist
Looking for some fun and silly tunes to play while waiting on hold for the right person to get on the line? Perhaps it would be fun to make a playlist through Apple Music, Spotify or another favorite music platform, including songs that go along with the theme for Telephone Tuesday.
Check out some of these ideas for songs to get started with:
- 837-5309/Jenny by Tommy Tutone (1982). This One Hit Wonder classic from the early eighties offers a funny story and a blast from the past.
- Hello by Adele (2015). This hit song from the album “25” and the lyrics explore themes about reconnecting with self and the world.
- Call Me by Blondie (1980). Another cool tune from the eighties was featured on the soundtrack of the movie, American Gigolo, starring Richard Gere and Lauren Hutton.
- Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepsen (2011). This one was written as a folk song but was modified to a pop song and became a huge hit.
For those who really enjoy talking on the phone, this device can be celebrated almost any day of the year! But some of the other days related to the telephone that are observed at other times include Alexander Graham Bell Day in March, National Telephone Day in April, or National Emma M. Nutt Day celebrated in September.
