Happy Groundhog Day?

Chelsea had an interesting experience when she called Cingular 411 a couple of times yesterday to get phone numbers. (I wish 411 had a frequent caller program, because she would be their number one caller.)

The computer voice came on and said “Cingular 411,” just like usual.

Then — “Happy Groundhog Day!”

The voice asked for city and state, the listing she was looking for, and then said, “Okay, I’ll connect you at no additional charge. Happy Groundhog Day!”

So, she got wished a happy Groundhog Day not once but twice by the Cingular computer voice. I didn’t know Groundhog Day was such a big holiday that you should wish others a happy one!

We decided that maybe it’s the only non-controversial holiday left that companies can endorse without getting in trouble. At SMU, we’ve decided not to send a happy holidays card next year because it offended those who wanted to hear us say Merry Christmas. We’re probably going for a Happy New Year card, with our fingers crossed that it doesn’t offend anybody who celebrates Chinese New Year.