I got an email back from the non government translation job thing. They wanted my SS# and other info, just in case they get enough people to open up an office and offer them jobs. So I wrote back saying something like “not to be overly cynical, but if your common practice is to ask for people’s personal information and social security information without even having and office or a job for them, you will attract only those on the bottom of the intelligence scale”

In fact, after I sent the email, I was so suspicious of the company that I searched the internet for some proof that it was a scam so that I could email that proof back to the linguistics department, where I got the info on the job from. Well, it turns out, not only does the company exist, with that same email address, but the guy who started it has worked for the church translation department for years and the company has recently won entrapreneurship awards. As I was searching this information, the phone rang. It was the guy from that company, callling to explain how it all works. So anyway, I may fax them my info and social security number. He was very nice and all. Then later, Dave is on the phone and mentions that guy’s name. I was confused. Well, it turns out Dave knows the guy really well, and when he saw the number on call waiting, he thought it was for him. It took a while for that guy to figure out who/what had happened. Anyway, so I feel sheepish! (baaaaaa). Remind me that sometimes its a good idea to be civil to people and give them the benefit of the doubt!