Directory Persistence

The other day I dialed 411, Verizon national directory assistance.

Female Robot Voice: City and state, please.

Me: Montm . . . oh, wait, no, the city is Washington, D.C.

FRV: Sorry, I didn't get that. (Slightly scolding tone) What city and state, please?

Me: (Obediently) Wash. Ing. Ton. Dee. See.

FRV: Say the name of the business you want, or say "residence."

Me: Montmartre. It's a restaur . . .

FRV: Okay, you want Baltimore County trash collection? Is that right?

Me: Aaaaarrgh!

This is the start of Gene Weingarten's frustrating and circular experience with a fully automated IVR. People (and machines) sometimes go to no end...
Directory Persistence ... in which I stalk a smooth operator