Romania: still waiting for that phone line, 28 years

Romania: still waiting for that phone line, 28 years and counting

SUCEAVA, Romania (AFP) - A Romanian man who submitted a written request for a fixed phone line in 1976 finally received a reply, 28 years later, from Romania's state-run Romtelecom.

More astounding than the delay, however, was the message.

"We inform you that we still do not have any lines available," said the letter, addressed to Gheorghe Titianu. "But if you maintain your request," it continued, offering a glimmer of hope, "please fill out the attached form."

Titianu had the courtesy to answer. "I am honored that you have not forgotten me after 28 years," he wrote, tongue firmly in cheek. "But in the meantime I have gotten married, had two children and have even gotten a phone line in my new home."

Romtelecom took the incident -- which it described as "nothing exceptional" -- in stride. "A lot of people who request lines die in the meantime, which is why we like to confirm that a request is still current," a customer service representative told AFP by phone.