# 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:** 3
**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 19, 2004, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-mangetout-takes-the-upper-hand-with-telemarketers/269919/41 "2004-10-19T13:54:14Z")
> [@Lord Ashtar](#): > > Since I cancelled my land line and started using just my cell phone, I haven’t gotten a single telemarketing call. > > YMMV. Oh, but I _do_ get Telemarketing SMSs! But those are easy to ignore 😉 ---
**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 19, 2004, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-mangetout-takes-the-upper-hand-with-telemarketers/269919/42 "2004-10-19T13:56:38Z")
> [@calm kiwi](#): > > Taking the piss out of someone because they are trying to make a living makes you the arsehole not them. If they would only leave me alone, I wouldn’t have a problem (but I suppose they can’t, can they?); it isn’t that they are trying to make a living, it’s that they are doing so at the expense of intrusion. ---
**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 19, 2004, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-mangetout-takes-the-upper-hand-with-telemarketers/269919/43 "2004-10-19T14:01:26Z")
Like I said many jobs involve imposing on others, being an arsehole to them doesn’t make the occupation vanish. Once again (with feeling :D) being polite never killed anyone. ---
**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 19, 2004, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-mangetout-takes-the-upper-hand-with-telemarketers/269919/44 "2004-10-19T14:03:53Z")
Perhaps so; maybe it’s just that this particular variety of intrusion is something that people find especially unpleasant. I know I do. ---
**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 19, 2004, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-mangetout-takes-the-upper-hand-with-telemarketers/269919/45 "2004-10-19T14:08:57Z")
Ok 🙂 I will stop taking this personaly (shit it was 15 yrs ago but I still feel the misery…I bet you can’t remember a call you got 15 years ago. I remember some I made! ) just try to be a teensy bit polite to them please. I hate doctors. They intrude way more then I like 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2004, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-mangetout-takes-the-upper-hand-with-telemarketers/269919/46 "2004-10-19T14:09:15Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > Yes, it is ‘just’ a job and yes, I understand that some (or even most) people take the job out of sheer desperation. Doesn’t make it any better. I would like to point out that your tactic and mine differ in only that yours required more thought, and probably resulted in more hilarity. In all, it’s a nicer way to go. Sure you pretended to be a creep who possibly had the Telemarketer’s mark tied up in the basement, but at least you didn’t scream “FUCK OFF” in her ear. ---
**Author:** ![slortar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6bbea6/32.png) [@slortar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slortar)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2004, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-mangetout-takes-the-upper-hand-with-telemarketers/269919/47 "2004-10-19T14:11:05Z")
I actually got a phone call from the Dove Foundation a few months back. That was an awful lot of fun. If you pay any attention to my posts you can imagine what sort of trainwreck **that** turned into. Uptight Prig: Hello, is the lady of the house in? Slortar: Sorry, no. Uptight Prig: Well, can I speak to the man of the house? Slortar: Ah, yeah. I’m the man. \ Uptight Prig: Well, okay. I’m from the Dove Foundation. We’re dedicated to removing filth and obscenity from the air waves. \ Slortar: But…I like filth and obscenity. What do you think I’m doing right now while talking to you? _click_ Slortar: Hello? Normal telemarketers I feel bad for messing with. I usually thank them for their time and then hang up quickly, to avoid wasting their time. A person who volunteers their time to waste mine with an agenda I disagree with, however, is fair game. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2004, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-mangetout-takes-the-upper-hand-with-telemarketers/269919/48 "2004-10-19T14:11:13Z")
I think there should be a law passed that every telemarketing call has to start with “Hello. I am a telemarketer. Do you want me to continue.” If you say “no,” then then have to hang up. The worse ones are the clowns who say “I want to talk to you about your Verizon phone bill.” I ask them “Are you working for Verizon?” If they say “yes” (and some do), I tell them I’m not chaning my phone company and if I did, it wouldn’t be with a company that employs liars. ---
**Author:** ![Who\_me\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/958977/32.png) [@Who\_me\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Who_me_1)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2004, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-mangetout-takes-the-upper-hand-with-telemarketers/269919/49 "2004-10-19T14:11:49Z")
I just say no thanks and hang up. ---
**Author:** ![5que](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/5/3bc359/32.png) [@5que](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/5que)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2004, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-mangetout-takes-the-upper-hand-with-telemarketers/269919/50 "2004-10-19T14:29:18Z")
> [@JayElle](#): > > In the past week, I’ve received several calls for donations from the Department of Public Safety, my university, amd a fundamentalist church. Also, I still get those recorded calls about debt consolidation. They even clog up the voicemail on my cellphone, which pisses me off to no end. Unfortunately, the Do Not Call Registry [doesn’t cover](https://www.donotcall.gov/FAQ/FAQConsumers.aspx#Exceptions) political organizations, charities, telephone surveys or companies with which you have “an existing business relationship.” The latter even covers making an inquiry of a company. I hate coming home and having several hangups on my answering machine from the automated dialing. I called one back and told them I didn’t want to receive any more calls and that I was on the do not call list. The woman very haughtily informed me they were a charity and there was nothing I could do about them calling me. THAT’S when I brought out the F-bomb with the bitch. ---
**Author:** ![FilmGeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@FilmGeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FilmGeek)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2004, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-mangetout-takes-the-upper-hand-with-telemarketers/269919/51 "2004-10-19T14:33:52Z")
I was a telemarketer for four hours in high school. I was told that I was calling on behalf of a SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) foundation and soliciting donations. There was this complicated coupon scheme that I still don’t understand. I nearly had a panic attack on the way there on the second day and quit as soon as I got there. Turns out they (my friend’s mom’s boyfriend) were pocketing all the money. I didn’t get paid (unpaid “training” that consisted of a photocopied page out of the phone book, a script and a phone) but another friend of mine that worked there for weeks, never got a w2 and reported them to the IRS for non payment of taxes. They had taken all the appropriate taxes from her checks and then kept the money. All the people that worked there were decent people, and I’ve been tempted by telemarketing firms when I’m out of work and desperate for money because they pay really well (twice as much as most places around here). I’ll never do it again though. ---
**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 19, 2004, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-mangetout-takes-the-upper-hand-with-telemarketers/269919/52 "2004-10-19T14:53:09Z")
> [@calm kiwi](#): > > just realise it is a person on the end of the phone and say no thanks not FUCK OFF. Actually I do neither. I simply hang up. I save the “Fuck you” for the pit. > [@TellMeI'mNotCrazy](#): > > The other option was to go on welfare. and it looks like you made the lower of the two choices > [@TellMeI'mNotCrazy](#): > > The humanly decent thing to do would have been live off the state because telemarketing was beneath me? YES YES YES! Do you understand now? > [@calm kiwi](#): > > Taking the piss out of someone because they are trying to make a living makes you the arsehole not them. If their living is structured on **them** being the asshole, I see no foul committed. > [@InvidiousCourgette](#): > > If you think it is ethically or morally wrong to earn a living doing a shitty job that you probably do not enjoy, can you explain why? You’ve just described the majority of the jobs out there. Let’s stick with telemarketing. It’s just like SPAM only its done over the phone. Like spam its legal but ehically wrong in that it hijacks and wastes resources for one reason only - those resources are vulnerable to attack. > [@InvidiousCourgette](#): > > What if they can not get an equivalent job elsewhere? Would you suggest that they should go on welfare? YES YES YES! Do you now understand? If you are so undertrained and unable to find a job you’re _supposed_ to go on welfare. Not annoy the rest of us who have jobs. I pay taxes so that you **can** go on welfare. Please use it and leave me the fuck alone! > [@InvidiousCourgette](#): > > If you think telemarketing is so bad, then write to your politician to get it banned. I did write and I’m on the don’t call list. Saying “Fuck You” to assholes such as you is just an added bonus of the SDMB. > [@InvidiousCourgette](#): > > Untill you do, a big “fuck you sideways” for shitting on people who want to earn an honest living. I’m not shitting on people who want to earn an honest living. I’m shitting on **telemarketers**. There is a _very_ big difference between an honest living and telemarketing. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2004, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-mangetout-takes-the-upper-hand-with-telemarketers/269919/53 "2004-10-19T14:55:27Z")
My quickest and easiest polite “out” from a telemarketer: “Hello.” “Is Mr. Hampshire there?” “Nope.” “Is there a better time to call?” “He’s out of the country for the next 6 months.” Polite. Non-offensive. Also, if you ever get a call from some credit card offer the best response that they have yet to find a comeback- “I just consolidated all of my debt to a home equity loan and all interest is tax deductable.” They usually just reply “Oh, well, if you ever need our services please call.” ---
**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 19, 2004, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-mangetout-takes-the-upper-hand-with-telemarketers/269919/54 "2004-10-19T14:56:59Z")
You are a flaming arsehole and there is no point in talking to you. I’m sure people kiss your tax paying ring everyday. What a hero. ---
**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 19, 2004, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-mangetout-takes-the-upper-hand-with-telemarketers/269919/55 "2004-10-19T15:04:44Z")
> [@calm kiwi](#): > > You are a flaming arsehole and there is no point in talking to you. > > I’m sure people kiss your tax paying ring everyday. What a hero. Somehow I’m just not getting a warm fuzzy feeling from you. 😛 I hope you don’t mind but the next time I get a telemarketer on the line, instead of just hangin up I’m going to say, “You are a flaming arsehole and there is no point in talking to you.” I know its a terrible response for a debate but it will work pretty well for the mental level of a telemarketer. Thanks again for the suggestion. I don’t have a ring. I can’t afford one after paying taxes ---
**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 19, 2004, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-mangetout-takes-the-upper-hand-with-telemarketers/269919/56 "2004-10-19T15:09:52Z")
The ring was the one around the flaming arsehole. You went and made me giggle. I’m just no good at staying cranky, I’m a calm kiwi. ---
**Author:** ![InvidiousCourgette](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e47c2d/32.png) [@InvidiousCourgette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InvidiousCourgette)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2004, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-mangetout-takes-the-upper-hand-with-telemarketers/269919/57 "2004-10-19T15:19:31Z")
Bubbadog, gahhh! Are you realy unable to differentiate between those that are paid to do and those that pay? People do shit because they are paid to, not because the have a view on the moral value of their work. Do you imagine that prostitutes or traffic wardens do their jobs because they enjoy it? There are lots of people who are desperate for work, any work. If you tell those people they need to consider the ethics of the job, they will rightly laugh in your face. You are full of righteous shit. ---
**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 19, 2004, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-mangetout-takes-the-upper-hand-with-telemarketers/269919/58 "2004-10-19T15:35:08Z")
> [@calm kiwi](#): > > You went and made me giggle. I’m just no good at staying cranky, I’m a calm kiwi. I’m glad I did. It’s fun to bitch and moan but the truth is, I wish you or nobody else any harm and hope that you are now doing well. I just plain can not stand telemarketing and I want to discourage anyone from even considering it as a means to get money. ---
**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 19, 2004, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-mangetout-takes-the-upper-hand-with-telemarketers/269919/59 "2004-10-19T15:52:38Z")
> [@InvidiousCourgette](#): > > Do you imagine that prostitutes or traffic wardens do their jobs because they enjoy it? Actually I think you’d be stretching the truth if you said that even half of the people do their job because they “enjoy it”. And unlike telemaketers traffic wardens provide a valuable service helping to maintain order. Prostitutes make money because their customers _want_ to interact with them. > [@InvidiousCourgette](#): > > There are lots of people who are desperate for work, any work. If you tell those people they need to consider the ethics of the job, they will rightly laugh in your face. Even desperate people have choices. I place telemarketing above unlawful activities like theft, but below welfare. You seem to think that telemarketing is justified because its a “job”. I say that there is no justification for it. It exists only because a method of communication is vulnerable to unwanted commercial use. It is sleazy in its design, deceptive in its operation and unethical by definition. Any and every participant in its business structure is **guilty** of purpetuating its existance. > [@InvidiousCourgette](#): > > You are full of righteous shit. Well if I’m going to be full of shit I guess riteous shit is the best kind. You appear to be full of self-righteous shit. ---
**Author:** ![The\_world\_s\_most\_deadliest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bc79bd/32.png) [@The\_world\_s\_most\_deadliest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_world_s_most_deadliest)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2004, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-mangetout-takes-the-upper-hand-with-telemarketers/269919/60 "2004-10-19T15:57:05Z")
> [@BubbaDog](#): > > I’m glad I did. It’s fun to bitch and moan but the truth is, I wish you or nobody else any harm and hope that you are now doing well. > > I just plain can not stand telemarketing and I want to discourage anyone from even considering it as a means to get money. **BubbaDog** , I have to admit I had this full bore speech slamming your attitude. Until I re-read your post to calmkiwi in which you state you just hang up on telemarketers. Which is fine. Preferable, in fact, to many responses that I’m sure calmkiwi and I both heard when we did our time in the trenches. Any other parts of your responses I’m going to take with a hopeful whoosh. My only comment: I wouldn’t worry about discouraging people from becoming telemarketers. I’ve met no one - inside or outside the business - that ever once said “Ya know what? I’m a lazy git, so I’ll just become a telemarketer. Easy money! Plus I get to piss people off, get cursed at, hung up on, and have my soul hung out to dry! What could be better!” Chances are, if they’re calling you, then they had VERY little options available to them. Imagine what kind of jobs they must have turned down. I would expend my anger - and efforts - towards contacting the companies that employ telemarketers. There will always be people to fill these crappy jobs - people that don’t have any other immediate choice, and yes, it does happen - so the goal is to stop these crappy jobs from being created. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-mangetout-takes-the-upper-hand-with-telemarketers/269919.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-mangetout-takes-the-upper-hand-with-telemarketers/269919.md?page=4)