Yes, I understand they can call at inopportune times to sell services you don’t need or don’t want. But, it’s Talk to a Telemarketer Day, so should your phone ring from a blocked number around 7 pm this evening, please pick up.
I may have a wee bit of a biased opinion on this subject. I admit I was a telemarketer, I mean don’t we all give it a try in college? I sold insurance (understandably annoying) and conducted surveys (harmless). In my experience, it’s moderate pay for a very harsh job, depending on your disposition. For me, it was nerve wrecking. I hated the hangups, anxiety, and pressure to make a sale for something I wouldn’t buy myself. I very much preferred the “no cold calling” game. Others thrive in a telemarketers position. These reps view every call as a challenge to the death and keep track of how long they can keep a customer on the phone, how much they can tick you off, and how much they can get you to spend.
You probably think you should celebrate today by harassing a poor telemarketer who is simply doing their job. If you receive a call from a nice polite telemarketer, please listen politely and say, no, thank you” to the unwanted advice, warning, or sale. Should you receive a call from an arrogant, short tempered, amazingly nasty person, rip them a new one and mess with them until they cry. Below are a few ideas:
- Suddenly start speaking another language (even if you have to make one up).
- Start telling knock, knock jokes.
- Try to sell them your kidney.
- Begin discussing your childhood. Start with your earliest memory.
- Sing limericks.
- Interrupt them with inappropriate compliments.
- Ask a million questions about one thing.
And in the future…
Thees and Thous 