I just got hung up on by a telemarketer again. I don’t understand this. When I answer the phone and it is a telemarketer, I could just hang up on them immediately and not have to deal with any of their nonsense. But I figure that if they are stuck working for a sketchy telemarketing company in Middle Of Nowhere, Montana all day, they are probably a bit down on their luck. Most likely, every person they call hangs up on them. That can’t be great for what is likely already not such a great time in their lives (I mean, really, would you work as a telemarketer if there was any possible way you wouldn’t have to?), so I don’t want to add to that. Spread a little cheer, you know? So I hang in there. Listen to their spiel, feign interest occasionally. Then they get to asking me questions, and obviously I’m not going to indulge them that much. They tell me that they want to ship me a beautiful diamond watch, with a real diamond embedded in the twelve o’clock setting! Fantastic! To what address can they ship this generous and fully complimentary gift? Well, at this point, I tell them that I already have a watch, and as glamorous as this one sounds, I’m quite attached to my own. Sentimental value, you see. But only once have I ever actually been able to get that whole response out (And that guy put in a really good effort at trying to change my mind, I have to give him kudos). Usually, as soon as I say “Thanks, but —,” the line goes dead. Common courtesy, folks. I don’t hang up on you, you don’t hang up on me. I was just trying to be polite. A simple “OK, thank you, I needed that information in order to scam you in whatever way my company has planned, but since you are smart enough not to give it to me, I regrettably must end this conversation now so I can move on to somebody not quite as smart. Have a great day!” would have sufficed. Instead, I’m getting hung up on by telemarketers. What has the world come to?
