Hollywood Blowoff

a dishonest response given by one party designed to avoid the need –or courage– to tell the other party that they have no intention of ever re-contacting them. (especially in a case where a telephone number or other contact information has been asked for).

in short, when someone lies their intention to call back or otherwise re-contact someone else.

(by the way, the hollywood blowoff can be easily avoided simply by using the honest phrase: “sorry, i don’t give my number out”, or “i’d prefer to contact you if i’m interested”)
the most famous example of the hollywood blowoff is: “don’t call me .. i’ll call you”.

typical scenario:

average alvin: may i have your telephone number?
-or- “can i call you”
-or- “do you have a card?”
-or- “when will it be ready”
-or- “when will i know the results of the audition?” etc.

snotty agnes: don’t worry darling, i have your card (when, in fact, average al either has no card or never gave it to agnes)…. i’ll call you… honest.
-or- “i/we have your number”
-or- “you’ll be hearing from us/me”
-or “i’ll/we’ll let you know as soon as i/we find out”

average alvin: why agnes, you hideous, loathesome, stinking b-tch from h-ll….you’re giving me the hollywood blowoff, aren’t you?! jeez, i’m so sorry i came to this book signing and wasted both my time and money on you.. here, please keep your sorry little book and read it.. that way you’ll have a better idea of yourself than i now do, you pitiful, pathetic -sshole, you. if you ever, ever walk through my neighborhood. you’d better look both ways before crossing!

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