This bubbly press release from Wisk Detergent:
“Whether it’s red wine dribbling on a blouse while on a date, or an ink spot on a white shirt before entering a business meeting, stain embarrassment can be alleviated by calling 1-800-ASK-WISK. You will receive stain tips from a laundry expert who can give you specific instructions on how to remove stains . . . keeping embarrassment to a minimum.”
Mere days after reading this, I doused my tie at lunch with clam sauce before an important meeting. Confident Wisk’s experts would bail me out, I dialed 1-800-ASK-WISK. A bouncy, recorded voice said: “If you would like to speak to one of our laundry experts, please stay on the line.”
I stayed. And stayed. Two minutes passed before another recording came on. “We are unable to answer your call at this time. Please try again later.” Click.
I dialed again. The line was busy. And so it was the next two dozen times I tried. Finally, I opted for embarrassment. Either the hot line’s way overworked or it was tackling a really tough stain, like blood on a Ford Bronco or something.