Frankly, I’m nosy. I am pretty good at finding information about people – it used to be my job. But did I go overboard when I started checking out my friends and coworkers? How about doing a reverse cell phone number search on your boss? There’s probably a fine line between using a reverse directory for meaningful purpose and using it simply because you are bored.
I suppose that was my reason. I had no need for the information – just complete curiousity. I’m absolutely harmless. I would never use the information for the wrong purposes. It was just that once I began poking around I simply ran through all the names in my head and the numbers in my phone book. It was like playing Russian cell phone roullette. How far could I go before I found something surprising?
It didn’t take long. I didn’t know my boss was in the middle of a divorce. Of course, after that, I assumed everything he said that didn’t make sense was because of the divorce. The challenge was keeping the fact that I knew more about his personal life than he knew I knew a secret (I know – confusing). I managed.
I think it’s natural to be curious about people – to want to know their secrets without asking directly. Asking directly, of course, being socially unacceptable in most circumstances. We let so many people into our lives that sometimes you start to wonder – what are the odds that I know someone who is potentially more dangerous than I think? This comes up more and more the older my kids get.
The other thing I realized was that I know a lot of cell phone numbers. I have cell phone numbers for even the most casual of acquaintances – repairmen, service company employees, the guy who comes to fix our A/C. I must admit I tend to daydream. I’m a spy on a secret mission. How much can I learn about someone with just the bits of information I have on hand? To me, it’s a game.
That’s why I had to have a membership, not just a one time report, when I signed up to do a reverse cell phone number search. The membership gave me access to all kinds of other information about people from large databases of public records. I didn’t have to just search with a number. I can do searches by address and name now, too.
So, yes, I’m nosy. Probably far too nosy for my own good. But I think it helps keep my mind sharp. I love puzzles. I like finding information other people can’t find. I enjoy the practice.
I guess what I’m saying is, I don’t advise doing a reverse cell phone number search on your boss, but maybe you should use it to get information about someone when your need to know is greater than what you might lose if you didn’t know.
Posted in 
