Re: numeration system

John Cowan said:
> Steg Belsky scripsit:
>
>> >>>Unlike the American system, we don't touch our
>> >>>country code with a ten-foot pole, unless you
>> >>>add a number your mobile phone gives you.
>
> In fact, it's just a coincidence that we dial ten-
> digit numbers with a 1 in front and that our country
> code (yes, it's called that) is also 1.  (A convenient
> coincidence, to be sure.)
I don't think most USAns even know it as a country
code. They just know that one dials a 1 to start a
non-local call.


> What's annoying is that there is no universal way to
> dial a number; it depends on your location.  Here in
> NYC, where we have six overlapping area codes, all
> numbers must be dialed with 1 + ten digits; in other
> locations, local numbers get 10 digits and long-distance
> ones get 1 + ten digits; in still others (the majority,
> probably) local numbers get 7 digits and long-distances
> ones get 1 + ten digits.
True, but there's one more possiblility. Where I live,
local numbers with the same area code are dialed with
seven digits. Local numbers in a different area code
are dialed with ten digits. Non-local numbers are dialed
with "1" + ten digits. We didn't use to have local numbers
with different area codes, but so many areas have been
split (and split again) and new area codes assigned to
accomodate the need for new numbers.


> It would be much better if 1 + ten digits was guaranteed
> to work everywhere, but in many locations calling local
> numbers this way will just get you an recorded whine
> saying "It is not necessary to dial 1 ..."
I agree completely. It's an annoying recording. Just put
the call through.

--Ph. D.

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