We all get those annoying phone calls. Here's something you can do about it.
I'm not a fan of telemarketers, and really, who is?
The worst is when ya answer the phone and there's that pregnant pause before the line clicks over to the telemarketer who then stutters: hello, hello, hello. I hate knowing in that second that the person calling is out to sell me something. I find it further irritating knowing that the person calling didn't even dial me. My number is in an auto dialer and the telemarketer needs that pregnant pause in order for my personal information - whatever they may have - to come up on their computer screen.
I admit, I have a short fuse when it comes to telemarketers. I like to screw with them.
When they mispronounce my name I correct them and ask that they start again... until they get it right. I also occasionally flat out lie, say I'm not Ree-HA, and ask if they want to leave a message. They don't.
When they ask for Mrs. So & So (my mother) I let my mood dictate my response. Sometimes I coldly say, she's dead, and let it hang in the air until they are so uncomfortable they hang up. Sometimes I say she's deceased and follow it with some dramatic whimpering or simply hang up.
When the telemarketer is selling anything that qualifies as literature... newspaper, magazine subscriptions, etc., I tell them I don't read. This is something I learned from my mother and I must say it's quite fun. I have yet to encounter a telemarketer capable of responding to it.
But there's a segment of the of telemarketing community that really drives me bonkers. They're fundraisers for the Republican National Committee.
Now, my first problem with fielding calls from the RNC is that... well, I'm not a member. I'm a registered Independent voter and I like it like that. I like forcing myself to look at all candidates. It's my thing.
So, why would I even field calls from the RNC? That would be thanks to Daddie-o. He's a member, who donates. He's probably been donating for the last 40 years. He donates every year, at the beginning of the calendar year and ONLY at the beginning of the calendar year. That's his thing.
(I also receive these calls because the landline number here hasn't changed - except for the area code - in 36 years and while my Dad doesn't exactly live here anymore his mail and financial records do.)
Point being, when the RNC calls every other day for more money... it's annoying. When they call after being repeatedly informed on the phone and in writing that they will NEVER receive a donation at any time other than the beginning of the year, it's infuriating. And when I have to field the call... well, I yelled at a dude the other day. And when I say yelled, I do mean YELLED! It actually felt kinda good to be rude... not that being rude is something I want to make a habit of.
Unfortunately, I know these calls won't stop. With all his yearly donations my Dad has pretty much guaranteed these calls will continue until maybe he dies or let's ponder this... changes his phone number. Hint, hint.
Anyhow, there is a way to avoid the run of the mill telemarketers from calling you. You can register your phone number with the National Do Not Call Registry. Registering prohibits telemarketers from calling you. (But not debt collectors, so keep paying those bills!)
