I am reminded of when, back in school, I considered an exchange year in the US. Exchange agencies hosted a bunch of info/prep events for potential exchangees, often with former participants sharing their experiences. Probably the most unsettling piece of advice was to expect seemingly absurd questions from students there. Examples we were given included whether we have fridges here, or electricity in general, or if Hitler’s still around. (To clarify, this was late 2000s, I’m from Central Europe - hence Hitler - and those students would’ve been about 16.) I also learned that “American History” is a complete, stand-alone high school subject and, from what I understood, isn’t necessarily backed up by a “General History”-type class, so that made the idea of internet-era teens asking such things somewhat more conceivable.

Going on that, I really hope you get an answer on the phone question. On the off chance that they are not just trolling, that would be some fascinating insight.

Also, obligatory-but-involuntary WhatsApp sucks so much!