10 Numbers Every Man Should Have on Speed Dial

The digits to get any guy some fast action.
By Jason Daley, Best Life

1. U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs' Overseas Citizens Services
You thought you were just bringing home a ceramic monkey, but instead you've picked up a concussion, 73 stitches, and a trial date in a Moroccan drug court. Luckily, you have the U.S. Department of State's Overseas Citizens Services on speed dial. Their case officers can assist in handling robberies, medical emergencies, missing passports, and pretty much any other sort of calamity that could ruin a family vacation. 202-501-4444

2. Weber Grill-Line
Wondering how to yank the beer can out of the chicken, keep grilled red snapper from falling apart, or smoke rib tips? Ring a certified barbecue expert (known as a "CBE" in BBQ-speak) at the Weber Grill-Line. These veteran grill jockeys — the line has answered more than a million calls since its debut in 1989 — are on call seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. central time (closed on Christmas). 800-474-5568

3. Language Line Services
This number offers 24-7 emergency translations of more than 170 languages from Icelandic to Urdu to Fukienese (say it out loud). All you need to do is enter a credit-card number — it's $3.95 a minute — and within a few seconds, a translator will hop on the line. Finally, an easy way to firm up account details with those well-intentioned Nigerian businessmen who keep e-mailing. 800-752-6096

4. 411-SONG
Unidentified catchy tunes — they're as infectious as smallpox. Next time you're dying to find out the title and artist of a song, dial 411-SONG. Hold your cell phone up to the speaker for 15 seconds, and the service will identify the tune from its database of 2.5 million songs (sorry, no classical or live tracks) and then send you a text message containing the title and artist and an option to buy the song. The call is free, as is the first time you try it. After that, you are billed 99 cents per text message. 866-411-7664

5. GOOG-411
The Internet giant has now wrapped one of its rainbow-colored tentacles around 411, ending the reign of pay information services, which never seem to have the listing you need anyway. 800-466-4411

6. 800-TAXI-CAB
The name and number say it all. This taxi referral service will hook you up with a local independently owned cab company in any metro area in the country, as well as some very nonmetro areas. Also offers limo services and airport shuttles. 800-829-4222

7. In Case of Emergency
Started by paramedics in 2005, the ICE program is an effort to get people to list their emergency contacts in their phone under the label ICE. Then, if you're in an accident, police or hospital staff can use your cell phone to notify your family or friends quickly. Simply input the phone numbers and store them as "ICE-wife," "ICE-dad," "ICE-daughter," etc. Some people also put a small red sticker on their phone to let emergency services know it contains ICE numbers.

8. EZLinks
If you're in, say, Phoenix, with an afternoon to kill and you want to get in a round of golf, all you need to do is call the EZLinks 24-hour customer-service line and they'll find you an open tee time. The free online reservation system is used by more than 900 courses throughout the United States, and it offers daily deals and a name-your-own-price option. If only they could add a name-your-own-score service. 888-885-4657

9. Hotels.com
Exiting Orlando after a trip to Disney when the car breaks down? In mid-July? The chances of finding a vacancy sign on foot are about nil, but one quick call to hotels.com, the online reservation giant, and you'll have the nearest available double queen from the 70,000 properties they serve. The hotel may not have a swimming pool, but, hey, neither does the car. 800-246-8357

10. Les Concierges
If you've got the scratch, opt for one phone number to rule them all: For between $295 and $795 a month, depending on your service level, a Les Concierges 24-hour personal concierge team member will shorten your list of to-dos to "pick up the kids" and "kiss the wife." Your over-the-phone assistant can set up Super Bowl trips, reserve squash courts, score hard-to-get reservations at exclusive restaurants, throw an impromptu cocktail party, name your new dog, and phone in excuses to your mother-in-law. 415-905-6082