# Are you rude to telemarketers? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 16, 2013, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-rude-to-telemarketers/661146 "2013-06-16T23:00:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Rushgeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rushgeekgirl/32/3715_2.png) [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2013, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-rude-to-telemarketers/661146/61 "2013-06-18T01:35:04Z")
I hang up right away. I have no interest in talking to any of them. I don’t know if that’s rude that I don’t even bother with a “No thank you” but I don’t care. Just hanging up saves us both time and trouble. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2013, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-rude-to-telemarketers/661146/62 "2013-06-18T01:37:54Z")
> [@PandaBear77](#): > > Mr. Rogers. Damn! Someone stole my sneakers! ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2013, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-rude-to-telemarketers/661146/63 "2013-06-18T03:38:04Z")
Before they can even get a word in, I just say, “Please put me on your do not call list, thank you.” _click_ We ARE on a state DNC list and it was great for awhile, but in the last year or so, we started getting calls again. And the really shitty part is that they’re all robo-calls, so you can’t tell them not to call again. Assholes. So I just screen all my calls. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2013, 10:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-rude-to-telemarketers/661146/64 "2013-06-18T10:06:17Z")
I’m a bit brusque, but I wouldn’t consider it really rude. So I went with Picard to Wesley. I’m more polite with survey takers, so I went with neutral there. I’m more rude to scammers, so I bumped that up to 2, though I personally think Simon is far ruder than apparently you do. Most of this time this isn’t a problem, as I have Caller ID for a reason. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2013, 10:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-rude-to-telemarketers/661146/65 "2013-06-18T10:12:38Z")
> [@drewtwo99](#): > > I use google voice as my main phone number, pretty much never give out my actual cell phone number to anyone. Google automatically filters spam telemarketers for me and sends their voicemails to a special spam folder. I can’t remember the last time I talked to one. I don’t see that listed as a feature on their site, just the traditional call blocking, which is insufficient. How does it work? ---
**Author:** ![Double\_Foolscap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/85e7bf/32.png) [@Double\_Foolscap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Double_Foolscap)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2013, 11:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-rude-to-telemarketers/661146/66 "2013-06-18T11:19:46Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Before they can even get a word in, I just say, “Please put me on your do not call list, thank you.” _click_ > > We ARE on a state DNC list and it was great for awhile, but in the last year or so, we started getting calls again. And the really shitty part is that they’re all robo-calls, so you can’t tell them not to call again. Assholes. So I just screen all my calls. Sometimes if you let the robocalls run through their spiel, they will say something like, “To be removed from this list, press 9.” Not all of them do, and I don’t know if it even works, but there’s a tiny possibility that it could reduce the number of calls. I guess they leave the option right at the end knowing nobody ever gets that far in the call 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2013, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-rude-to-telemarketers/661146/67 "2013-06-18T16:12:59Z")
Considering that my phone number is on the national do not call list, I give them a huge ration of shit for not checking it. Although I like this thing I saw the other day; I’ll have to try it. The next time an 800 number or RESTRICTED shows up on the caller id, I’ll wait till the human comes on and then say in a gravelly whisper: “It’s done, but there is blood everywhere. Get over here!” And then hang up. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2013, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-rude-to-telemarketers/661146/68 "2013-06-18T16:31:52Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > “It’s done, but there is blood everywhere. Get over here!” And then hang up. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2013, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-rude-to-telemarketers/661146/69 "2013-06-18T17:05:29Z")
> [@Double\_Foolscap](#): > > Sometimes if you let the robocalls run through their spiel, they will say something like, “To be removed from this list, press 9.” > > Not all of them do, and I don’t know if it even works, but there’s a tiny possibility that it could reduce the number of calls. I guess they leave the option right at the end knowing nobody ever gets that far in the call 🙂 It doesn’t work. They may not call you, but you have confirmed that this is a working number, which a person will actually answer, so they sell the list of such numbers to the next company. Or else they are complete shits (like the aforesaid Credit Account Services) and call you back anyway. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2013, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-rude-to-telemarketers/661146/70 "2013-06-18T17:16:09Z")
We’re on the DNC list. Hell fucking yes I’m rude to the sorry ass bastards. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2013, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-rude-to-telemarketers/661146/71 "2013-06-18T19:04:51Z")
> [@lieu](#): > > We’re on the DNC list. If you are a political organization or a charity, there is no such list. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-rude-to-telemarketers/661146/72 "2013-06-19T01:40:19Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > It doesn’t work. They may not call you, but you have confirmed that this is a working number, which a person will actually answer, so they sell the list of such numbers to the next company. Is there no law about this? There is with emails. They have to offer you the ability to unsubscribe and have to stop sending you emails within 10 days. As long as it comes from a legitimate US site, that is. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-rude-to-telemarketers/661146/73 "2013-06-19T01:45:41Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > Is there no law about this? There is with emails. They have to offer you the ability to unsubscribe and have to stop sending you emails within 10 days. As long as it comes from a legitimate US site, that is. Aye, there’s the rub. Many calls do not originate in the US. Many solicitation sites use a list only once, then switch their own outgoing phone numbers and start again. Sure, they may take you off of the _first_ list if you complain, but they toss that one when it is exhausted and start over again with a copy of the original list for the next batch of calls. ---
**Author:** ![deltasigma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e5b9ba/32.png) [@deltasigma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/deltasigma)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-rude-to-telemarketers/661146/74 "2013-06-19T02:05:05Z")
I search numbers I don’t recognize online if they call me repeatedly and if they are telemarketers, I add them to my blacklist. If your telco service doesn’t allow you to send certain numbers to the digital waste bin, then you need to get another provider. Mine not only provides a do not disturb service with flexible daily scheduling of when it kicks in, but also lets me send ALL toll-free numbers to voice mail sight-unseen. This results in a greatly reduced aggro level and need to even deal with the questions posed by this poll. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-rude-to-telemarketers/661146/75 "2013-06-19T02:14:46Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Forgot: I did give one lady the full-on _Boiler Room_ treatment - made her go through her pitch while giving pointers, told her she did a great job, and then said I wasn’t interested in her product. I kind of felt bad about that one, but I’m pretty sure I boosted her sales. One lady did that to/for me. She had some valid points that I have tried to correct. Now, chiming in as a telemarketer, I speak politely as I graciously hang up on them. I don’t yell at them because they are just poor saps like me, trying to make a living in this shit economy in a legal job that doesn’t required standing, like McDonald’s does. Maybe they are old, like me and many of my co-workers, and after a lifetime of working they found they could no longer find work in their chosen careers. Maybe they are young, like other co-workers, and this is a step or three up from what their friends back in the hood can find, and believe it can result in better jobs in the future. Either way, I know it’s not their first choice of job and it’s not fun on the best days, so I’m nice, but end the conversation quickly. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-rude-to-telemarketers/661146/76 "2013-06-19T03:03:58Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > Now, chiming in as a telemarketer, Dude, prepare to be beaten up and have your lunch money stolen. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-rude-to-telemarketers/661146/77 "2013-06-19T03:13:45Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Dude, prepare to be beaten up and have your lunch money stolen. > > :rolleyes: It’s happened before. I’ve been open about how I currently make a living. Okay, actually it’s all business-to-business now and responses are roughly split between “Sounds good; sign me up,” and “No, thanks.” All very polite and professional. ---
**Author:** ![Swamp\_Adder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/977dab/32.png) [@Swamp\_Adder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swamp_Adder)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-rude-to-telemarketers/661146/78 "2013-06-20T01:10:43Z")
The best way to get rid of telemarketers: > [@](#): > > I talk to telemarketers. Oh, I never buy anything from them, because I don’t buy things over the doorstep or off the phone but if I happen to get one, I chat with them until they hang up. I talk about whatever comes to mind. I find Jesus works quite well as a topic if you want a very short conversation. > > “I’d like to offer you a Visa Card today, with only a 24.5% interest rate!” > “And I’d love to talk to you about Jesus Christ! I’m so glad you called, I’ve been wanting to share this all day!” > “Um… well, I’m already a Christian.” > “That’s wonderful. We can share the gift of Christian fellowship!” > “I have to do my job ma’am.” > “I totally understand! Well, have a good day doing that, and I’ll pray for you, since you don’t want to talk about Jesus…I’m sure he’ll understand.” > > “click” > > I know it might be hard to pull that off if you’re an atheist or an agnostic, it all depends on your acting skill level. But, for getting rid of pesky telemarketers who call every day trying to sell you a “free” vacation in Vegas for a few thousand dollars, it’s terrific. > I like to call it “Jesus Saves…me a lot of time of the phone with telemarketers.” ([Source](http://community.livejournal.com/metaquotes/7123228.html)) ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-rude-to-telemarketers/661146/79 "2013-06-20T01:44:15Z")
I’m always very polite but I get off the phone immediately. The reason is that anyone doing that kind of work is one step from the edge and deserves mercy. I did phone survey work for a very short time in my 20’s for $2.00 per hour- that tells you how long ago it was- because I was dead broke and couldn’t get any more work as a psychology department test subject. You don’t do phone calling unless you’re desperate. I can’t be rude to someone who may have a bottle of pills in the other hand. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-rude-to-telemarketers/661146/80 "2013-06-20T01:50:35Z")
You mean like cold calling them at home? Nah, I’d never do something so rude. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-rude-to-telemarketers/661146.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-rude-to-telemarketers/661146.md?page=5)