It's easier to use your iPhone to call the front desk than navigate the 500 buttons on the hotel phone, says Executive Travel's Steve Glenn in his list of hotel pet peeves. (Getty Images)
Q: Like many other people, I am irritated with multiple unwanted calls about auto and other warranties, even after multiple attempts to place myself on the Do Not Call List. I take a page out of Jerry Seinfeld’s comedy show. I choose prompt #1 to speak to a representative. When the person answers the call, I ask for their home phone # so I can call them multiple times a day. I ask when they eat dinner and go to sleep. I explain that it seems like those would be great times to call them.
They usually hang up. A few get upset. I know it does not stop the next call to my phone, but I tie up their phone lines for a few minutes and it gives me a little smile.
Tim Pasqua, Milpitas
A: Scam calls are very frustrating. Ignore them.
Q: I vehemently disagree with recent comments regarding closure of the downtown ramp to Highway 17 to avoid congestion in Los Gatos. As a tax-paying Los Gatos resident who lives on Black Road, my family and I rely on that ramp to get into town and home every day. I rent office space at Satellite and shop in town throughout the week. On weekends, I go into Los Gatos for coffee, the Rural Supply and the farmers market. Someone needs to speak up for all of the residents who live just outside of downtown. We pay taxes, too, and support the community. We should not be penalized by a ramp closure because Monte Sereno residents don’t like the summer traffic. We endure 17 traffic and closures daily. It’s a part of the decision to live where we live. Summer beach traffic that spills into town is a part of living in Los Gatos and Monte Sereno. We have a right to the efficiency that the ramp brings to our lives and people in town need to respect that right.
Tania Weidick
A: Thanks for sharing your perspective, too. There are many points of view on this challenging traffic problem.
Q: Thank you for the well-written explanation on DMV renewals for seniors. However, I am still not clear about the REAL ID. Does it get renewed automatically with the driver’s license or do you have to reprove your domicile and provide other ID papers to have the REAL ID renewed along with your driver’s license? This clarification would be a big help. I always read your column and appreciate your good sense.
Carol Walker, Richmond
A: When you have a REAL ID driver’s license and are renewing it, you do not need to provide all the documents all over again to reprove your identity.
Look for Gary Richards at Facebook.com/mr.roadshow or contact him at mrroadshow@bayareanewsgroup.com.
Originally published at Gary Richards