# Karl finally answers the telemarketer's call - short and oh so sweet
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/karl-finally-answers-the-telemarketers-call-short-and-oh-so-sweet/375806
**Category:** The BBQ Pit
**Created:** [October 9, 2006, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/karl-finally-answers-the-telemarketers-call-short-and-oh-so-sweet/375806 "2006-10-09T15:46:44Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 2
### Author:  [@WolfpackJeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WolfpackJeep)
#### Post date: [October 10, 2006, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/karl-finally-answers-the-telemarketers-call-short-and-oh-so-sweet/375806/21 "2006-10-10T02:26:26Z")
The OP wins a prize…clever response, with no rudeness at all. (I’m still surprised that the telemarketer apologists haven’t shown up yet though.)
---
### Author:  [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)
#### Post date: [October 10, 2006, 11:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/karl-finally-answers-the-telemarketers-call-short-and-oh-so-sweet/375806/22 "2006-10-10T11:19:47Z")
I think this is beastly. :eek:
Telemarketing is a widely respected profession, which requires years of training, allows many different choices of speciality, is enjoyed as a long-term career and serves a vital role in society.
😕
Oh - no that’s medicine. :smack:
---
### Author:  [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)
#### Post date: [October 10, 2006, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/karl-finally-answers-the-telemarketers-call-short-and-oh-so-sweet/375806/23 "2006-10-10T11:28:21Z")
[QUOTE=Jeep’s Phoenix]
The OP wins a prize…clever response, with no rudeness at all. (I’m still surprised that the telemarketer apologists haven’t shown up yet though.)
[/QUOTE]
**HERE I AM, A TELEMARKETER-APOLOGIST EXTRAORDINAIRE!!!**
The _rudeness_ was fucking the girl around when a simple ‘bugger-off, I’m not interested’ would have sufficed.
It seems to be a running competition amongst SDMB posters as to who can be the most obnoxious respondent to a telemarketing call. Honestly, folks, it’s stale. It’s not all that funny and it’s not particularly original either, whatever ‘tactic’ you use, we’ve heard ten-times better than yours.
😉
---
### Author:  [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)
#### Post date: [October 10, 2006, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/karl-finally-answers-the-telemarketers-call-short-and-oh-so-sweet/375806/24 "2006-10-10T12:05:29Z")
[QUOTE=KarlGauss]
(this is our Thanksgiving weekend in Canada - yes, we celebrate it a _lot_ earlier than they do in the US. I don’t know why, maybe we have less to be thankful for.)
[/QUOTE]
(because, instead of celebrating that a bunch of Englishmen got their asses saved by a bunch of native neighbors, you celebrate that a bunch of conscript sailors led by two brothers and a Genovese reached land)
(You may now continue politely harassing poor Mary Ann)
---
### Author:  [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)
#### Post date: [October 10, 2006, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/karl-finally-answers-the-telemarketers-call-short-and-oh-so-sweet/375806/25 "2006-10-10T12:24:54Z")
[QUOTE=kambuckta]
Honestly, folks, it’s stale. It’s not all that funny and it’s not particularly original either, whatever ‘tactic’ you use, we’ve heard ten-times better than yours.
[/QUOTE]
But we haven’t, so buzz off while we entertain ourselves at your expense.
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### Author:  [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)
#### Post date: [October 10, 2006, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/karl-finally-answers-the-telemarketers-call-short-and-oh-so-sweet/375806/26 "2006-10-10T12:38:44Z")
[QUOTE=Fear Itself]
But we haven’t, so buzz off while we entertain ourselves at your expense.
[/QUOTE]
Gawd, you must have a sad life if you get ‘entertained’ by listening to second-hand (and third-rate) telemarketer-put-downs.
As I said, the originals are so much better.
😃
---
### Author:  [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)
#### Post date: [October 10, 2006, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/karl-finally-answers-the-telemarketers-call-short-and-oh-so-sweet/375806/27 "2006-10-10T13:08:15Z")
[QUOTE=kambuckta]
The _rudeness_ was fucking the girl around when a simple ‘bugger-off, I’m not interested’ would have sufficed.
[/quote]
Strange that you consider swearing not to be rude, but time-wasting to be fucking with somebody. So all telemarketers are fuckers?
[QUOTE=kambuckta]
It seems to be a running competition amongst SDMB posters as to who can be the most obnoxious respondent to a telemarketing call.
[/quote]
Obviously you meant ‘the best respondent to an obnoxious telemarketing call.’
Oh dear, that’s redundant - all telemarketing calls are obnoxious.
[QUOTE=kambuckta]
Honestly, folks, it’s stale. It’s not all that funny and it’s not particularly original either, whatever ‘tactic’ you use, we’ve heard ten-times better than yours.
[/QUOTE]
It really is such a rewarding career, isn’t it? :rolleyes:
[QUOTE=kambuckta]
Gawd, you must have a sad life if you get ‘entertained’ by listening to second-hand (and third-rate) telemarketer-put-downs.
[/quote]
Any put down of a telemarketer is a useful contribution to society.
P.S. In case you wonder why (like the vast majority of society) I dislike telemarketers so much, here is a recent conversation with one:
After my mother’s funeral, I return to my house. The phone is regularly ringing with condolences.
“Hello, glee, I’ve got a wonderful opportunity for you. Let me tell you about…”
“Are you trying to sell me something?”
“No! …How you can save money by…”
“I’m not interested.”
“…signing up to our wonderful option…”
“My mother just died.”
“…which is only available to selected customers like yourself, Mr. glee…”
“My mother just died.”
“errr…” and rings off.
---
### Author:  [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)
#### Post date: [October 10, 2006, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/karl-finally-answers-the-telemarketers-call-short-and-oh-so-sweet/375806/28 "2006-10-10T13:11:06Z")
[QUOTE=kambuckta]
Gawd, you must have a sad life if you get ‘entertained’ by listening to second-hand (and third-rate) telemarketer-put-downs.
[/QUOTE]
Not as sad as the poor schmuck who feels compelled to defend herself whenever a telemarker gets reemed.
😃😃😃
---
### Author:  [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)
#### Post date: [October 10, 2006, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/karl-finally-answers-the-telemarketers-call-short-and-oh-so-sweet/375806/29 "2006-10-10T13:15:30Z")
[QUOTE=Nava]
(because, instead of celebrating that a bunch of Englishmen got their asses saved by a bunch of native neighbors, you celebrate that a bunch of conscript sailors led by two brothers and a Genovese reached land)
(You may now continue politely harassing poor Mary Ann)
[/QUOTE]
I always thought that is was the fact that being further north, the Canadians’ harvest is earlier. Thanksgiving ain’t Thanksgiving without pumpkin pie.
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### Author:  [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)
#### Post date: [October 10, 2006, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/karl-finally-answers-the-telemarketers-call-short-and-oh-so-sweet/375806/30 "2006-10-10T13:22:52Z")
[QUOTE=kambuckta]
The _rudeness_ was fucking the girl around when a simple ‘bugger-off, I’m not interested’ would have sufficed.
[/QUOTE]
So, your starting premise is that wasting people’s time is rude.
Ooookay, let’s see what that premise implies re the business of telemarketing… :dubious:
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### Author:  [@BubbaDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BubbaDog)
#### Post date: [October 10, 2006, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/karl-finally-answers-the-telemarketers-call-short-and-oh-so-sweet/375806/31 "2006-10-10T13:35:46Z")
[QUOTE=Fear Itself]
But we haven’t, so **buzz off** while we entertain ourselves at your expense.
[/QUOTE]
[bolding mine]
Sorry to play the grammar police role here but your “buzz off” is incorrect.
That should read “But we haven’t, so **go fuck yourself** while we entertain ourselves at your expense”.
glad to help,
Bubba
---
### Author:  [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)
#### Post date: [October 10, 2006, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/karl-finally-answers-the-telemarketers-call-short-and-oh-so-sweet/375806/32 "2006-10-10T14:00:39Z")
[QUOTE=kambuckta]
The _rudeness_ was fucking the girl around when a simple ‘bugger-off, I’m not interested’ would have sufficed.
[/QUOTE]
What’s rude is cold calling people.
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### Author:  [@Ponder\_Stibbons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponder_Stibbons)
#### Post date: [October 10, 2006, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/karl-finally-answers-the-telemarketers-call-short-and-oh-so-sweet/375806/33 "2006-10-10T14:14:20Z")
[QUOTE=Steve MB]
So, your starting premise is that wasting people’s time is rude.
Ooookay, let’s see what that premise implies re the business of telemarketing… :dubious:
[/QUOTE]
Ha ha ha!!! _Burn!_
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### Author:  [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)
#### Post date: [October 10, 2006, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/karl-finally-answers-the-telemarketers-call-short-and-oh-so-sweet/375806/34 "2006-10-10T14:35:20Z")
[QUOTE=kambuckta]
The _rudeness_ was fucking the girl around when a simple ‘bugger-off, I’m not interested’ would have sufficed.
[/quote]
Actually, a ‘bugger-off, I’m not interested’ repeated 43 times would have been a proportionate response.
> [@kambuckta](#):
>
> Gawd, you must have a sad life if you get ‘entertained’ by listening to second-hand (and third-rate) telemarketer-put-downs.
It’s tough to get it first-hand without tapping Karl’s phone. And as a put-down, I’d vote for first-rate.
---
### Author:  [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)
#### Post date: [October 10, 2006, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/karl-finally-answers-the-telemarketers-call-short-and-oh-so-sweet/375806/35 "2006-10-10T15:32:49Z")
[QUOTE=Lord Ashtar]
What’s rude is cold calling people.
[/QUOTE]
At least he got an actual person to call him. Every election I get bombarded by computers calling me and playing a recording about some candidate or issue that doesn’t leave any contact number and blocks it’s number on the Caller ID. The other day I got one, hung up, and pressed talk to try a \*57 and it was still going! For three minutes I couldn’t use my phone.
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### Author:  [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)
#### Post date: [October 10, 2006, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/karl-finally-answers-the-telemarketers-call-short-and-oh-so-sweet/375806/36 "2006-10-10T15:35:51Z")
[QUOTE=Blalron]
I honestly wonder how anybody could stand to work as a telemarketer. From what I gather they earn minimum wage, which is not nearly enough compensation for all the abuse they receive.
[/QUOTE]
For some companies that may be true, but the one I worked for had a very nice commission schedule. Personally, I made an average of $15 per hour and 2 of my my friends nearly always made at least $20 per hour and up to $30 or so per hour at times.
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### Author:  [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)
#### Post date: [October 10, 2006, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/karl-finally-answers-the-telemarketers-call-short-and-oh-so-sweet/375806/37 "2006-10-10T16:00:31Z")
[QUOTE=Antinor01]
For some companies that may be true, but the one I worked for had a very nice commission schedule. Personally, I made an average of $15 per hour and 2 of my my friends nearly always made at least $20 per hour and up to $30 or so per hour at times.
[/QUOTE]
Hookers, hitmen, and drug dealers make more, and at least they can say their job is better than being a telemarketer.
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### Author:  [@WolfpackJeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WolfpackJeep)
#### Post date: [October 10, 2006, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/karl-finally-answers-the-telemarketers-call-short-and-oh-so-sweet/375806/38 "2006-10-10T16:35:29Z")
[QUOTE=glee]
“My mother just died.”
[/QUOTE]
Oh yeah…we’re still getting telemarketer calls for my deceased father. They never believe you when you tell them the person they’re trying to bother is dead. Then you ask to be placed on their “do not call” list…and they start demanding to know why you aren’t interested in whatever they’re selling.
So I’m supposed to respect these asshats for what reason, exactly?
---
### Author:  [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)
#### Post date: [October 10, 2006, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/karl-finally-answers-the-telemarketers-call-short-and-oh-so-sweet/375806/39 "2006-10-10T16:44:43Z")
[QUOTE=DrDeth]
Hookers, hitmen, and drug dealers make more, and at least they can say their job is better than being a telemarketer.
[/QUOTE]
I have no interest in having the ‘Telemarketing is evil’ conversation again. I was simply replying to someone who commented on how much a telemarketer makes.
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### Author:  [@FlyingDragonFan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlyingDragonFan)
#### Post date: [October 10, 2006, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/karl-finally-answers-the-telemarketers-call-short-and-oh-so-sweet/375806/40 "2006-10-10T16:53:56Z")
[QUOTE=Frostillicus]
43 times in 10 days? Time to sue someone for harassment.
[/QUOTE]
No sir, I’m calling about the _Post_ …
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