<< HA-ha! I've got a good one for you. First off, I have caller ID and if I don't recognize the number I don't pick it up. Depending on the time of day, and when the last time I talked w/my Mom, I may pick it up if I think it's her. She's out of state and her number shows up as "unavailable".
On the rare occasion that I p/u the phone w/o looking at the ID and it's a telemarketer, here's what it sounds like. I've been doing this for the past two years at least.
**RING**
me: hello?
them: Hi, this is Tammy from XYZ communications, is Michael D**** available?
me: <slowly, in very somber voice> Oh my, you haven't heard, have you?
them: I'm sorry? Heard what?
me: Michael died last week. Bad car wreck...I'm his cousin...we're here packing up his things...*sniffles*
them: uh...er....uh....er...Um, I'm sorry..goodbye.
Works every time. I've tried being nice. Stupid, doesn't work, only encourages them to call back. I used to just hang up in their ear, which saves me time, but was no fun. Sometimes when my 5-year old son is there, I'll let him talk. I just tell him not to give names, addy's or other personal info. He tells them about Shamu and the zoo and his new Powerranger toy thingee. Sometimes if i'm bored I listen in on the extension.
I hope nobody has the stupidity to flame me for "giving someone who is just doing their job a hard time." Tough! I have no mercy for telemarketers. At all. They are an interuption of my personal and family time. I can't wait for another one to call. I think I'll try a Swedish accent next time..... >>
thats soo funny, leting your 5 year old talk. If I was one of them though I would just keep on talking because its more interesting that repeating the same thing forever day after day.