Poll: Am I an asshole?

wishiwaspreggo · October 2014

Last night I got a cold call from a campaign volunteer wanting to talk to me about a local politician. As soon as I realized she was going to go into a lengthy spiel, I hung up the phone. C asked me "Who was that?" And I told her it was a cold caller and I wasn't in the mood to listen to her tell me all the wonderful things John Doe is going to do for Indiana. She said I was very rude and I should've given the girl a chance to talk before dismissing her. Personally, I believe it's intrusive to call someone on a weeknight interrupting their dinnertime to talk about something I'm not at all interested in so it's fair enough for me to press the "end" button on the conversation.

What do you think? Should I have been kinder and let her talk or would you do the same thing?

MrsLaurenandDan · October 2014

I probably would have interrupted with "sorry, this isn't a good time." And then said goodbye. But that's me.

Unknown · October 2014

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randomnames · October 2014

For us there is usually a short delay when we answer those kinds of calls, so we often hang up before they even say anything. My mom and I used to joke about using calls like that as therapy sessions. Just start telling them about all of you problems instead :-)

ngolimento · October 2014

From the perspective of someone who used to work on phones, you actually aren't an asshole.

Each person who works the phones either has a limit on the time they can spend, OR has a quota they are feverishly trying to reach. You hanging up without wasting thier time on pleasantries is actually helping to do thier job. They need to move on to a call that might give them a positive hit on what they are trying to achieve. Just don't cuss them out, call them names, or dick around with thier time, and I promise you that they aren't feeling butthurt about being hung up on.

WinningColors · October 2014

I tell them I'm not interested and hang up. But I don't think you were an asshole.

wishiwaspreggo · October 2014

Thanks y'all! Sometimes I do say "Sorry, I'm not interested." Just depends on how peevish I feel when they call me. Last night I was halfway through my dinner (don't fuck with a pregnant woman's dinner!) and I wasn't in the mood to be courteous.

C told me I'll be setting a bad example for our son if I do this in the future in front of him 8-| I told her everyone hangs up on cold callers, especially when they're interrupting personal time. She gave me a guilt trip about "being different" and "having more compassion" because the other person on the end of the line is a human being. For God's sake, she sounded like Gandhi.

Well, I'm going to report these results back to her to prove I'm not a dick. At least not according to you lovely ladies

mangomimosa · October 2014

I just would have said -- "sorry, not interested" before hanging up. But you're not an asshole! I thought this thread was related to something you did on the board, hah! I was like -- um I've never thought you were an asshole on here...

kmvisioli · October 2014

I used to have the unfortunate job of working in a call center, and I always appreciated a "sorry, I'm not interested" or some kind of response rather than just a hang up. Made me feel a little more like a person.

Clobert · October 2014

I don't think you're an asshole - or if you are, a lot of people are assholes. I do think it's important to realize that if it's a political campaign, then that person is most likely a volunteer. I've volunteered to call people before for propositions and campaigns. On the one hand, it's not my job or my life so I can shake it off, but on the other hand maybe they really care or aren't used to terrible treatment, so it might be tough.
I cut people off so that they don't waste time.
I say,"thank you I'm not interested" and if I don't want a call back I nicely ask to be taken off the list.
My husband always says,"it's not a good time" and as a result gets people calling back over and over again. They are organized and will note to call another time if you tell them that.
If it's a sales call I still like to get off the list and don't know if hanging up will accomplish that.

ruemorgan · October 2014

Hang. That. Shit. Up.

Eta, I wouldnt say anything rude or use an attitude. Theyre just doing their job. But just like the Mormons that comes to my door, im not interested.

JenLa21 · October 2014

I also would have interrupted her and said it was a bad time, or i wasn't interested..

JCWhitey · October 2014

I got a call at 9PM one night. 9PM!!!! Who does that? We live in a cabin so the ringing phone woke my toddler up. I told them it was rude to call that late and she asked what time zone I was in. Um... the one in which that state the politician is campaigning in lives.

janda426 · October 2014

When I was younger I used to answer the phone for bill collectors then flush the toilet and hang up. I cracked myself up.

I hang up too. Unless they keep calling then I get ragey at them

FrecklesInside · October 2014

I've worked in a call center. Just hang up. Whatevs.

Also, door to door people are even worse!! You aren't just calling into my personal time, you are at my door, at my fucking house!! I'm always like no thanks, and close the door. I'm not standing there to listen about my window replacement options because you came up to my fucking door!! Sorry, I find it SO intrusive!!

FrecklesInside · October 2014

Oh, and I was also hoping this was some stargirl popularity poll. I would have voted LOVE YOUUUU, BTW.

wishiwaspreggo · October 2014

FrecklesInside said:

I've worked in a call center. Just hang up. Whatevs. Also, door to door people are even worse!! You aren't just calling into my personal time, you are at my door, at my fucking house!! I'm always like no thanks, and close the door. I'm not standing there to listen about my window replacement options because you came up to my fucking door!! Sorry, I find it SO intrusive!!

Oh man, the door-to-door people really chap my ass. I had one girl come up asking for money for the "207." I don't know what the hell the 207 is, and she didn't have any information or any brochures. I was in my pajamas, my dog was barking up a storm, and I told her I didn't have any money.

So annoying.

stepherly · October 2014

I just hang up too.

Anyone of importance calls my cell. If the house phone rings it's political, a telemarketer, or the township recording stating our trash pick up has been moved due to a holiday.

Mic512 · October 2014

As a frequent campaign volunteer through high school & college (poli sci major - it's worth college credit so especially for statewide & national campaigns you get a lot of college kids making these calls), you get used to being hung up on. A simple, "this is not a good time" or "I have already made up my mind, have a good night" is much nicer.

bdazzld · October 2014

I've tried being polite with cold callers before, I understand they're doing a job--but I do not have time to sit through their spiel. So I very politely say we're not interested in the BLANK give reason if we have one, tell them to have a great day and say goodbye. This has gotten me HARASSED with repeated call backs, hang ups as well as being chewed out and called rude because I didn't sit through the spiel and then hung up on.

I'm sorry, you a) either called me on the way out the door to work or b) started calling me at 7am and now I'm really kind of pissed. Luckily we have ATT for our phone so I simply turned on their call screen feature. If I don't have your phone number you cannot call my home phone. If you know me, you're on the list or can call my cell.

LynnBrown4 · October 2014

You did the right thing. When I was still in school I had to work as a telemarketer to get by. I liked the people who just hung up when they weren't interested... I had a list to get through, and they weren't wasting my time. Much better than the people who swear at you or play stupid games like putting their toddler on the phone or putting the phone down 'for a minute' and then not coming back.

lisap0924 · October 2014

Like others I usually cut them off and tell them I am not interested.
I used to work for a collection company, and it was actually aggravating to go through my whole speech just for them to tell me no. I would rather them hang up on me and not waste my time. Onto another call I would go

RaeKM · October 2014

No, you are not an asshole. I have said much worse. I am not sure that just hanging up is helpful; maybe ask to be removed from their solicitation list.

cinderella105 · October 2014

I worked in a call center cold calling and also going door to door and those were the worst jobs I've ever had. Don't know how people do it, but when I did I completely understood the hang ups or doors being shut in my face. When I get calls like that now I just hang up so they can move on to their next call. It's really better for the cold caller to just be able to move on to someone interested.

bdazzld · October 2014

cinderella105 said:

I worked in a call center cold calling and also going door to door and those were the worst jobs I've ever had. Don't know how people do it, but when I did I completely understood the hang ups or doors being shut in my face. When I get calls like that now I just hang up so they can move on to their next call. It's really better for the cold caller to just be able to move on to someone interested.

So I have to ask, what would drive someone to a) call back to chew someone out (who was nice and said thank you and goodbye) b) start calling at 7am and not stop until 10:30am even though they were asked to stop and politely no'd???

that day was really traumatic lol.

corysgirls · October 2014

When we get political calls, my husband like to tell them we are voting for Obama. I think it's hilarious. Someone actually tried to tell him, "you realize he isn't running for this office or even able to run again in the next election?" Hahahaha!

ers23462 · October 2014

I have just a cellphone, if I don't recognize a number, I don't answer. If it is important, they will leave a message. If not then no biggie.

suzyq0525 · October 2014

I was hoping this would be a juicy poll.

selena61307 · October 2014

Peledreamsofrain said:
From the perspective of someone who used to work on phones, you actually aren't an asshole.

Each person who works the phones either has a limit on the time they can spend, OR has a quota they are feverishly trying to reach. You hanging up without wasting thier time on pleasantries is actually helping to do thier job. They need to move on to a call that might give them a positive hit on what they are trying to achieve. Just don't cuss them out, call them names, or dick around with thier time, and I promise you that they aren't feeling butthurt about being hung up on.

I was just about to type this exact thing

Lark425 · October 2014

She's a dick for not asking if you had a moment to hear about the polititan first. You don't just call somebody out of the blue and not feel them out first to see if they are interested. I'd probably say you were both a little rude.

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