THE MIRROR : How Others See Us Coast to Coast

From “Cool Operator,” by Ellen Hopkins, in New York magazine. 1985 by New Group Publications, Inc.

It all started when I called directory assistance for Los Angeles. The familiar recording of that literal-minded female came on, but something was wrong: She sounded like a 45-r.p.m. record playing at 33. Then I called New York information. The recording snapped out the number, giving just enough time to jot it down--no more, no less.

I decided to be scientific, taping and timing a series of recordings. The average New York recording was a third faster--10 seconds to California’s 15. Are Californians really that laid back? Do they really need a three-second pause before the number is repeated?

The explanation is that since the AT&T; breakup, regional phone companies have bought operator recordings from different companies. In addition, they have chosen different speeds.

“Californians are more laid back,” says Shelley Ward of Pacific Bell. “We wanted a voice people would feel comfortable with.” Steven Marcos of New York Telephone explained the local recording, saying, “Of course, New Yorkers do speak pretty quickly.”

Calling information around the nation yielded other odd bits of, well, information: The Bible Belt was surprisingly terse (Biloxi, Miss., averages 12 seconds); Texas’ recordings had a Munchkin quality; and perhaps in deference to the wedding chapels there, Nevada still offers the personal touch--a human voice.