Olympic volleyball fan and New Mexico resident Wade Miller recently tried
to order Olympic tickets by phone, but found out operators for the '96
Games were "geographically impaired," according to the ATLANTA
CONSTITUTION. After telling the operator he was from New Mexico, Miller was
put on hold. The operator then came back and said she couldn't sell tickets
to someone who lives outside the country. Miller spent half an hour trying
to convince the agent that New Mexico is a state. She then transferred him
to her supervisor who responded, "Sir, New Mexico, old Mexico, it doesn't
matter. I understand it's a territory, but you still have to go through
your nation's Olympic committee." ACOG officials said the incident was a
one-time occurrence.
(Lyle Harris, ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 2/2)

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In response to the above, which was posted to the GIGGLES list
(giggles@listserv.vt.edu), David Lundquist (dlundq@IAG.NET) wrote:

I had to smile at the man from New Mexico's problems trying to buy Olympic
volleyball tickets. The following REALLY happened to me.

Four years ago, I was applying for my marriage license in Orlando, Florida.
When the clerk of the court was reviewing my application, she asked if I
was a naturalized citizen. I asked her what she meant and she replied, "I
see that you were born in New Mexico." At least in this case, her
supervisor knew enough to correct her.
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