A telephone directory also called a telephone book and phone book is a
listing of telephone subscribers in a geographical area or subscribers to
services provided by the organization that publishes the directory.
While in New York promoting Cinderella Man, Russell Crowe grew
frustrated when he couldn't make a phone call to his wife in Australia.
He tried to work with hotel concierge Nestor Estrada but got nowhere.
As attempts failed, Russell became erratic and an argument ensued.
He reportedly threw the phone at Estrada and it struck him in the face.
Crowe was arrested and later plead guilty to a misdemeanor of third
degree assault. The actor paid a small court fee and was put on probation
for a year. Subscriber names are generally listed in alphabetical order,
together with their postal or street address and telephone number.
Every subscriber in the geographical coverage area is usually listed, but
subscribers may request the exclusion of their number from the directory,
often for a fee. Their number is then said to be unlisted American English,
ex directory British English or private Australia and New Zealand.
In the case of unlisted numbers, practices as to Caller-ID vary by
jurisdiction. Sometimes, the Caller-ID on outbound calls is blank
in other jurisdictions, unlisted numbers still appear, unless the caller
dials a blocking code; in still others, the customer may request automatic
blocking from the telephone company's service representatives.
In some countries under current rules and practices, mobile phone and
Voice over IP listings are not included in telephone directories.
Efforts to create cellular directories have met stiff opposition from several
fronts, including a significant percentage of subscribers who seek to avoid
telemarketers.
