Of course the lady at the switchboard could listen in on any call.Hahaha Sir @janton, in the small towns we had what was called switchboard operators. The phones had a handle and when you wanted to make a call you would lift the receiver and crank the handle. The switchboard lady would answer; "Number please" and you would give her the number. She would then plug you into the persons line.
Here comes the hahaha!
Not all of the switchboard ladies were very discreet and they forever told their friends, who told others, about the shenanigans of yet others.
We used to give the switchboard ladies local newspaper nick names.
Someone would say to my mom; "Did you hear what the Daily Mail said about Hilda's boyfriend that bought her a car"? "Ooh, I cannot wait until her husband finds out"
That was old time telephonies my friend!
Blessings!
That is too funny sir papilloncharity! Of course we had the same system over here in many places but our technology must have been ahead of yours by a few decades because we only remember the party lines which came later.
I'm sure the operators were under strict orders to not spread gossip that they heard!
Your technology has always averaged about 20 years ahead of us.
Blessings!Oh they were indeed under orders Sir @janton and they all signed confidentially documents. But no one seemed to care about orders in those days and no provision was made for the human element. We simply love to spread hot news about the doings and screwing of others.
Very interesting sir papilloncharity, you are an education and information fountain! lol.
A fountain? No one has ever called me a fountain before Sir Janton Lol.
Blessings!
It's so true though, wisdom and knowledge from God!