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San Francisco Area Code. Change.

There are real problems in life, and then there are problems manufactured in the minds of individuals. Case in point, future area codes for San Francisco and Marin County will no longer be the familiar 415. Starting in 13 months, all new numbers will contain the area code 628 – and many people in the Bay Area are not happy about it.
The reason for the new area code is quite simple. They have simply used up the 415 code, largely due to the tremendous increase of cell phones over the past decade or so. But many people feel that the 415 area code is symbolic of the San Francisco area – sort of a status symbol, if you will. Yet I wonder, how many folks in the Bay area have land lines and cell phones, both with the 415 exchange? I, for one, am among that group, but then, I’m not complaining about the switch to 628.

Manhattan Area Code Change.

The same thing happened in New York City back in 1984 when Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island were switched from the iconic 212 area code to 718. The Bronx later made the switch to 718 in 1992. Currently only Manhattan holds the 212 code. There was public outcry back then too. People from the outer boroughs felt like they were second-class citizens.
All over a three-digit code. Whatever!

Dealing with Change.

Getting back to the Bay Area, 16 to 17 months ago the people of the Bay Area were given the opportunity to comment on the proposed area code change. THAT, was the time to complain! Why is it that so many people like to complain—after the fact? The truth is, they had the chance to speak up last year, but they chose not to. Now, they get what they get.
Far too many people, it seems, are uncomfortable with any sort of change, regardless of how trivial it is. Many sweat the small stuff while ignoring the bigger picture. Change is constant, so isn’t it more productive to focus on changing what we can, what really matters, while accepting the things we cannot change?
Until next time, I’m Attorney Francine Ward. Find me on my Facebook Law Fan Page, Twitter Law Page, Google+, and LinkedIn.

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