I don’t like cold calling. In generally I try not to be horrible to cold callers because I know it must be a horrible job. But I will also refuse to give anything away about who I am and whether I might ever consider buying their product.  If I do want the product I’ll buy it on my own terms, not in response to an unsolicited phone call.

Today’s conversation when something along these lines

Me: Hello?

Them: Hello, this is <name> from <marketing company>. Is that Mrs <Surname>?

Me: Who did you say was calling?

Them: <marketing company>

Me: Who?

Them: <marketing company>. We’re doing a small home owner’s survey.

Me: Oh, I’m not interested in that thanks

Them: Oh. Goodbye.

[The End]

Question1: how can you be polite to these people without inadvertently thanking them for bothering you with unsolicited calls?

Question2: Small home owners survey? Do you think their database includes the height of the house owner? Freaky.