TELECOM Digest Editor noted in response:
>> She said the old biddies on the party line would set the phone in a
>> galvanized laundry tub, so even if they were sitting out on the
>> front porch on a hot summer night, they would all hear that
>> (amplified by the galvanized tub) 'tick sound', and the front-porch
>> ladies would quietly slip inside and try to listen/spy on the
>> neighbor who had received the phone call, to find out who had called
>> and what they were talking about. PAT]
> From time to time people say "back in the good old days people were
> nicer, more respectful, etc." The above example -- which was very
> common -- shows this wasn't always the case.
Well, I for one, know that I'd be a lot nicer and more respectful if half the town was listening in on MY phone.
scott