What NOT to text to strangers.

Let’s hope I don’t show up on any FBI watch lists. A buddy of mine returned to the United States from being overseas for an extended period of time. I had his old cell phone number, so I sent him a text. At least, I thought it was him.

ME: Is this still your phone number?
OTHER PHONE TEXT: Yes lol.

Hoping I’d established contact with my friend, I called the number from a landline. Voice mail picked up, but gave me no indication I’d reached my friend. Not sure whether I had called my friend or someone else, I did not leave a message.

OTHER PHONE TEXT (roughly an hour later): Who is this btw?

Upon receiving this text, I figured I’d either: a) reached a total stranger; or b) reached my friend, but had not been among the contacts in his phone. So I decided I’d reply with a reference to something he would understand, but a stranger wouldn’t.

ME: sorry...your buddy, trying to keep his beard on
OTHER PHONE TEXT: Uh who?

Yeah...pretty sure I wasn’t texting my friend. I connected with my friend a short time later. We’re not sure who received my texts, but it was fun to imagine what went through that person’s mind. You can read the beard-related reference by clicking here.