I used to do some operator work for a major UK telecoms firm.

Because it was free, you had all sorts of people phoning it. A good chunk of them were just old folk who were lonely and just wanted someone to speak to.

It was nice. Some of us had additional roles too and we were generally left alone if there was nothing else to do, so it was nice talking about people's families and interests, and hearing their voices brighten over the course of five or ten minutes.

Growing old alone must suck.