I Just Called, To Say, Stop Calling

There are times when I wish I could get the phone numbers of every telemarketer and call them back as many times as they call me.

I would tell them that I don't want what they are selling, nor do I care, and in the event that I want something, I will call and ask...

Stop calling me.

I understand that everyone has bills to pay, and telemarketers are just doing their jobs, but sometimes I get frustrated with their calls.

Correction...all of the times I get frustrated with their calls.

But I was thinking...what if it's me?

If I can confidently conclude that it is solely their job, and they have metrics to meet just like anyone else who is employed by someone...why does it bother me so much?

What is the underlying issue that makes these telemarketers so irritating?

Is it because they are interrupting us while we are doing something extremely important?

Is it the pushiness of their sales pitch?

Is it the fact that we thought it may have been someone calling from an actual number just to have a nice conversation and were tricked into picking up an 800 number even though we know that none of our contacts have an 800 number...

Realistically, there shouldn't be anything that a telemarketer can do to frustrate us...

Once again, they are just doing their jobs.

Personally, I sometimes take a different approach and have a conversation with them.  I can't say that all of the telemarketers are interested in the back and forth...

Some of them hang up on me...

But every once and a while, we share a nice laugh.

Believe it or not, sometimes the telemarketer wishes that they didn't have to call you just as much as you wished they didn't call you.  Make light of it.

Ask how their day was.  Talk about the weather.  When they push the sale, politely tell them that you are not interested and carry on with the conversation. 

A definitive yet respectful "no" goes a long way.

This won't work all the time though.  Understand you will run into some telemarketers who will continue to push the sale even after that "no".  These are the anomalies. 

Even in these situations, still stand strong.  Do not scream or yell.  Remind yourself that they are just doing a job. 

And if they are blatantly disrespecting your decision to move forward with your life without purchasing that new knife set, bundle of towels, or corrective shoes...

Every phone has an end button.

It's not the coolest thing in the world to do, but it is better than belittling another human being.  I'm pretty sure they get belittled enough.  Catch yourself before you belittle them too.

I know it can be annoying, but have fun with the phone call if you are fortunate enough to accidentally pick it up.

The person on the other line may enjoy the laugh too.

But still...you can leave my number off the call list...

Until next time,
Long Live The People

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