They finally caught me. For months I had been able to avoid any contact with a Census taker. They came to my door several times on different days at different times. But each time I saw someone standing outside with a clipboard, I did not open the door. I received a call at work yesterday and the woman on the phone introduced herself as a worker with the Census Bureau. I was completely stunned; how exactly did they get my number? I told the lady I was too busy to speak, but she could call me back the next day.
She called back today. I asked how she got my number and she said she got it from the property management company that manages my condo. She asked if I owned the place and I said "Yes". She asked if I rented the place out or if I live there and I replied "I live there". She asked how many people lived there and I said "Just me". She then asked my age and sex. I replied that these questions were too personal and I was not going to answer any more questions.
She said, "Oh, OK. Thank you."
"Have a nice day," I replied.
Granted my refusal was not nearly as heroic as Vijay Boyapti's response to his Census takers. Nevertheless, my conscience is clear. The questions I answered gave her information she could have gotten from my management company. Yes, I was finally and unfortunately counted, but I did refuse to be questioned.
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