OT: Telemarketers
Most people who know me, know how little I like telemarketers. I don't care whether they're selling something, calling about something political, or calling to collect money. I don't want to be bothered by phone. Since signing up our current phone line for the NY State Do-Not-Call-Registry (and the National one as well), the number of these calls has been very small.
In a way, I miss some of the calls, as I often have a lot of fun with the caller. Luckily, every once in a while we do get calls. Because I'm in the mood, here's a recent one (presented in simulated dialog):
Caller: Hello.
Me: Hi.
C: I'm calling to urge you to vote "YES" for nonpartisan elections in NYC-
M: Excuse me. While I understand that as a political entity, you are technically exempt from Do Not Call Registry laws, don't you think that by virtue of the fact that I'm signed up for both the NY State and Federal registries, that maybe, just maybe, I don't want to be disturbed by ANY type of unsolicited phone calls?
C: Well, I understand, sir, but yes, we are exempt from those laws.
M: But don't you understand that you're disturbing me?
C: Well, I apologize, but we feel this is a very important political issue-
M: While that may be the case, I like to get my political information from relatively unbiased sources, such as newspapers and the internet-
C: We're not biased - we're nonpartisan!
M: Just because you don't support a particular party doesn't mean you aren't biased. By virtue of the fact that you're calling to ask me to vote a particular way means you are biased.
C: Well, this is my job, sir.
M: That's all well and good, but it doesn't make it alright to disturb me. How would you like it if it were my job to call you at home, asking you to vote for me for president?
C: That would be fine.
M: Really? That's great. What's your home phone number?
C: I'm not going to give that to you.
M: Why not?
C: Because I don't want you to call me at home.
M: Exactly - you don't want to be disturbed. Getting unsolicited calls at home is annoying!
C: Well, this is my job, sir.
M: Just because someone is paying you to do something, doesn't make it alright to do it. Imagine if I paid you to walk around the streets of New York, poking people with a stick. Would you do that?
C: No, that's not a job!
M: How do you know? As far as you've indicated, all that defines a job is the willingness of someone to pay you to do it. Maybe I'm a millionaire, maybe I'm related to Michael Bloomberg!
C: I still wouldn't do it.
M: Why?
C: Because I wouldn't.
M: Because it's annoying! And doing things that are annoying is wrong, even if you are getting paid for it!
Around this time, my wife started insisting that she needed the phone, so I ended the call shortly thereafter.
M: As much as I'd like to continue this conversation, I've got to go. Please remove my phone number from any lists that you have, and do not call me ever again.
I couldn't believe how long she stayed on with me. I was having a really hard time keeping myself from bursting out laughing!
I have more telemarketer stories that I'll post another time. I'm also planning a post on people passing the buck.