Rejection technology

Forget crime and racial tensions and power outages — what really matters these days is, as always, whether you can get digits from that hottie you met at the club. But getting a phone number — at least a real one — is even harder than it used to be. Just ask the Houston Chronicle, which today turns its august finger to the world of hook-ups with a story on the Rejection Hotline:

"Hello, this is not the person you were trying to call," says a man's recorded voice. "The person who gave you this Rejection Hotline number did not want you to have their real number. We know this sucks, but don't be too devastated."

Ouch. And it continues ...

"Why were you given a Rejection Hotline number? Maybe you're just not this person's type. Note this could mean boring, dumb, annoying, arrogant or just a general weirdo. Maybe you suffer from bad breath, body odor or a nasty combination of the two."

Jeff Goldblatt, who founded the Rejection Hotline, said the line got 18 million calls last year, with Houston averaging almost 80,000 a month. (The local hotline number is 713.866.6249.) The Chron found mixed reaction to the service:

"I loved everything about it," said 21-year-old Justin Quimby of Crosby, who posts that number as his own on his My Space Web page. "It's good for a little laugh."

Quimby said he probably wouldn't give the number out, but Gail Ozumba would.

"I'd use it, if they're unattractive or not my type," she said. "Maybe if you don't feel like saying no right there."

And that's why the dating game is so much fun. For the record, Goldblatt said he's never been given the Rejection Hotline number, but he does "think twice about whether or not to ask somebody for their number." (If you've been burned, you might want to celebrate national Get Over It Day, which is apparently celebrated March 9 — it's also one of Goldblatt's creations. Better get to Hallmark now!)