# In which Mangetout takes the upper hand with telemarketers. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 18, 2004, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-mangetout-takes-the-upper-hand-with-telemarketers/269919 "2004-10-18T22:11:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![calm\_kiwi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9fc348/32.png) [@calm\_kiwi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/calm_kiwi)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2004, 10:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-mangetout-takes-the-upper-hand-with-telemarketers/269919/201 "2004-10-27T10:22:26Z")
And the junk mail? Because that irritates me more. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2004, 10:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-mangetout-takes-the-upper-hand-with-telemarketers/269919/202 "2004-10-27T10:33:48Z")
I don’t think I ever tried to claim that my annoyance with telemarketers trumps your annoyance with any other thing. I happen to find junk mail mildly annoying; some of it I shred for guinea pig bedding, anything that can’t be shredded goes in the recycle bin outside my door which the council empties every fortnight. No piece of junk mail ever got me up from the table halfway through my dinner, or interrupted my work or TV viewing. ---
**Author:** ![calm\_kiwi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9fc348/32.png) [@calm\_kiwi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/calm_kiwi)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2004, 10:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-mangetout-takes-the-upper-hand-with-telemarketers/269919/203 "2004-10-27T10:38:25Z")
No phone call ever made me drag it up the driveway on rubbish day. Often people I know interrupt dinner, work and tv veiwing. I just think no one loses if I swear at newsprint. ---
**Author:** ![calm\_kiwi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9fc348/32.png) [@calm\_kiwi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/calm_kiwi)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2004, 10:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-mangetout-takes-the-upper-hand-with-telemarketers/269919/204 "2004-10-27T10:40:21Z")
Maybe I need a guinnea pig. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2004, 10:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-mangetout-takes-the-upper-hand-with-telemarketers/269919/205 "2004-10-27T10:44:28Z")
> [@calm kiwi](#): > > No phone call ever made me drag it up the driveway on rubbish day. Me neither; I think if I had to drag my bin up the driveway three or more times a day, every day, I’d be pretty peeved. > [@](#): > > Often people I know interrupt dinner, work and tv veiwing. Me too, but they typically have a worthwhile reason for calling. ---
**Author:** ![calm\_kiwi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9fc348/32.png) [@calm\_kiwi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/calm_kiwi)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2004, 10:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-mangetout-takes-the-upper-hand-with-telemarketers/269919/206 "2004-10-27T10:47:23Z")
Your driveway is shorter then mine AND we don’t have the same mother 😃 ---
**Author:** ![calm\_kiwi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9fc348/32.png) [@calm\_kiwi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/calm_kiwi)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2004, 10:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-mangetout-takes-the-upper-hand-with-telemarketers/269919/207 "2004-10-27T10:55:21Z")
I just find it really hard to get cranky at a phone call…30 secs of listening. No thank you, have a good one. All done. No one dies, no one is rude, no one suffers. If you truly can’t give one minute to be polite you either need a new personality or a new job ( if it is that stressful). Just roll with it. Shit tv ads can get on my nerves but they are part of life. I’m not a clothes loving female…I want to run and hide if the shop assistant acosts me. I mutter something and wander past (or leave). Many jobs involve selling shit…calm down. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2004, 11:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-mangetout-takes-the-upper-hand-with-telemarketers/269919/208 "2004-10-27T11:00:07Z")
I’m curious about one thing; is there any level of telemarketer interruption that you would consider unacceptable? If so, where would you personally draw the line? Ten calls per night? Twenty? Or is your commitment to politeness inifinitely extensible? ---
**Author:** ![calm\_kiwi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9fc348/32.png) [@calm\_kiwi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/calm_kiwi)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2004, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-mangetout-takes-the-upper-hand-with-telemarketers/269919/209 "2004-10-27T11:02:02Z")
Well I haven’t met it yet. As I said 30 secs doesnt kill me. I NEVER said I don’t cut them short but I’m never rude. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2004, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-mangetout-takes-the-upper-hand-with-telemarketers/269919/210 "2004-10-27T11:02:45Z")
And (being honest here) I’m starting to resent the continual implication that I must tolerate intrusion, or admit a serious character flaw. I can actually dislike something and remain calm about it. ---
**Author:** ![calm\_kiwi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9fc348/32.png) [@calm\_kiwi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/calm_kiwi)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2004, 11:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-mangetout-takes-the-upper-hand-with-telemarketers/269919/211 "2004-10-27T11:06:55Z")
Not a problem. Each to their own. The only reasn I poked my nose in here in the first place is because I have seen it from both sides. What you do is up to you, what I do is up to me. I just like knowing I didn’t hurt anyones feelings…especially if it was their first day and that is more common then not…no one lasts long at that job. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2004, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-mangetout-takes-the-upper-hand-with-telemarketers/269919/212 "2004-10-27T12:31:09Z")
> [@calm kiwi](#): > > Do you really think they get a thrill in annoying you? You’re trying really really hard to find the appropriate strawman, aren’t you? How many more things are you going to hang on the anti-telemarketers participating in this thread in some desperate attempt to make it seem we are saying something unreasonable? > [@](#): > > They are doing a job for fucks sake! We’ve dealt with this. You ended up agreeing that this was a stupid point. Recidivism is unbecoming. > [@](#): > > Get over it! Hang up if you must. Swear your frigging head off if you must but GET OVER IT. You took on an unethical job and annoyed a shitload of people because you wanted the money . You don’t like this being put in front of your face because you feel guilty about it. Get over it. ---
**Author:** ![BubbaDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bubbadog/32/333_2.png) [@BubbaDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BubbaDog)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2004, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-mangetout-takes-the-upper-hand-with-telemarketers/269919/213 "2004-10-27T12:41:31Z")
If you act like an asshole you shouldn’t be surprised to be treated like one. If you are **paid** to act like an asshole you shouldn’t be surprised at abuse directed toward you. I polished it up a little ---
**Author:** ![calm\_kiwi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9fc348/32.png) [@calm\_kiwi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/calm_kiwi)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2004, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-mangetout-takes-the-upper-hand-with-telemarketers/269919/214 "2004-10-27T12:45:38Z")
Hey I ain’t trying to find the strawman, tinman or whoever the other one was. I AM NOT a telemarketer. I HAVE NOT BEEN a telemarketer SINCE 1986 when I did it for ONE MONTH. I give not one flying fuck about your manners. I care about mine. I agree with you that many people have jobs that annoy others. I also agree that you are far too easily irrirtated and headed for a heart attack if answering the phone causes your buttocks to clench that much. No LEGAL job is unethical. So the govt told us 😃 As I said…each to their own. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2004, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-mangetout-takes-the-upper-hand-with-telemarketers/269919/215 "2004-10-27T12:58:23Z")
> [@calm kiwi](#): > > I also agree that you are far too easily irrirtated and headed for a heart attack if answering the phone causes your buttocks to clench that much. This seems like yet another fumbling attempt to formulate another strawman; not everybody who dislikes telemarketers does so at the expense of busted arteries; there are other ways to be annoyed than buttock-clenching stress; the simple grinding ennui of picking up the phone and hearing nothing but a \, for example (silent calls are the latest thing here). ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2004, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-mangetout-takes-the-upper-hand-with-telemarketers/269919/216 "2004-10-27T13:11:45Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > I don’t think anyone believes telemarketers get any joy out of annoying us. That doesn’t make it any less annoying. I beg to differ. Back when I was answering phones at work, I got this call: Caller: Shipping department. Me: I’m afraid no one is available in shipping to receive your call. May I take a message? Caller hangs up _ring ring_ Caller: Shipping department. Me: No one is available in shipping to receive your call. Caller hangs up. _ring ring_ Caller: Shipping department. Me: I’m afraid not. Caller: Shipping department. Me: No. Caller: Shipping department. I hang up. _ring ring_ Caller: Shipping department. I hang up. _ring ring_ Caller: Shi I hang up. _ring ring_ Coworker Eric: Hello? Caller: Shipping department. CE: Yes. Caller: Shipping department. CE: You got it. Caller: Shipping department. CE hangs up. _ring ring_ It went on for 45 minutes. In the background you could hear the regular telemarketing noises. And the guy’s accent? He sounded like Fran Drescher. Or how about this beauty: Caller: We were getting ready to send out the new service manual for your copier. Can you tell me the model number so I can check it against my records? Me: Ha ha. I know this scam. Caller: You stupid fucking bitch. I hope you die. Caller hangs up. _ring ring_ Caller: Answered the phone again? Aren’t you scared, little girl? You’re gonna regret it. I hang up. _ring ring_ Coworker Eric: Hello? Caller hangs up. Or there’s my beloved Ameritech calls. Ameritech was the phone company. They changed their name to SBC Ameritech. Caller: This call is to let you know that Ameritech has contracted third-party billers to handle your account. I need to know the telephone number on each of your lines. Me: Is this a hoax? Caller: You’re a hoax! Caller hangs up. Notice how they were Ameritech when Ameritech had changed to SBC Ameritech. A few months later, SBC Ameritech changed to be just SBC. Caller: This call is to let you know that SBC Ameritech has contracted third-party billers… Me: Bullshit. Caller hangs up. Caller: We’d like to send you three free issues of “Fun, Fun, Fun with Fiberglass!” Me: No thank you. Caller: But don’t you want to… Me: No thank you. A few days later in the mail: Me: Hey, it’s a free issue of “Fun, Fun, Fun with Fiberglass!” Hey, they say if we don’t cancel they’re going to keep sending it and bill us $399. Caller: Accounts Payable please. AP: Hello. Caller: I’d like to check the payment status of an overdue invoice. AP: Your company name? Caller: Publisher of “Fun, Fun, Fun with Fiberglass!” AP: I’m afraid I don’t see your company name in our records. Do you have a contact name? Caller: Um, Julie Shmoolie. AP: I’m afraid we don’t have a Julie Shmoolie at this location. Do you have a PO number? Caller: Um, 45687. AP: I’m afraid that’s not a valid PO from our company. Who did you say you are again? Caller hangs up. And half the time we still get “Fun, Fun, Fun with Fiberglass!” Woot! Anyone defending telemarketing to me is going to have to defend these people as well. ---
**Author:** ![calm\_kiwi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9fc348/32.png) [@calm\_kiwi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/calm_kiwi)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2004, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-mangetout-takes-the-upper-hand-with-telemarketers/269919/217 "2004-10-27T13:20:57Z")
So freaks have called you. Hmmmmmmmm Yucky. This has anything to do with what? Or as my new best mate **Mangetout** would say STRAWMAN. Unless of course you are suggesting all telemarketers are perves. ---
**Author:** ![TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tellmei_mnotcrazy/32/3419_2.png) [@TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TellMeI_mNotCrazy)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2004, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-mangetout-takes-the-upper-hand-with-telemarketers/269919/218 "2004-10-27T13:28:22Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > I beg to differ. > > \ > > Anyone defending telemarketing to me is going to have to defend these people as well. Well I’m not gonna defend them but that was some funny shit. ---
**Author:** ![calm\_kiwi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9fc348/32.png) [@calm\_kiwi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/calm_kiwi)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2004, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-mangetout-takes-the-upper-hand-with-telemarketers/269919/219 "2004-10-27T13:36:27Z")
it made me giggle to. SHHHHHHHHHH 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2004, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-mangetout-takes-the-upper-hand-with-telemarketers/269919/220 "2004-10-27T14:07:11Z")
_Ring at dinnertime_ Telemarketer: We are seeking donations for the fire department. Me: No thankyou. [I hangup] _Ring_ Telemarketer: Go outside and tell me if you smell smoke. [I hangup] The next morning I had a chat with the fire chief. Turns out the fire department made a deal with a local telemarketing firm to use its phones but staff them for free with convicts performing community service. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-mangetout-takes-the-upper-hand-with-telemarketers/269919.md?page=10) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-mangetout-takes-the-upper-hand-with-telemarketers/269919.md?page=12)