Monday, March 23, 2009
Home Alone
Does anyone out there have a suggestion for a good response to give when I answer the phone and a telemarketer interrupting dinner caller asks to speak to my mom or dad? This happens all the time and I am always caught off guard! I usually stutter out something starting with how my parents don't live with me and ending with an approximation of "I'm the lady of the house." A bit dated, no? How I would love to have a courteous answer at the ready! Any ideas?
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7 comments:
hahahhaa, I don't have a response, but that's really funny. You need caller id! And put yourself on the do not call list.
Just remember, you control the information about your household and who is home in it; also, you are not required to answer questions as asked. Simply say, "Who is this, please?" and if they're unknown to you, then say, "Please remove me from your calling list. Thank you for your help. Goodbye and good evening!"
Love, Mama
P.S.--Anika is quite right, you need Caller I.D.--then you can screen me out too if you want! Better yet, if I call when your hands are full you can plan to call me right back!Love, Mama
Personally I like to say "hold on just a minute I'll get them" put the phone down finish your dinner and watch a little TV. then go back to the phone and hang it up. this is not rude because they have already hung up on you and marked you on the list to not call again!
There are all kinds of things you can say. You could try this one out for size.
"Do you think you would be able to handle it? Most people have a hard time speaking with my mom and dad. Often times they are delightful to speak with, but other times you would wish they would mind their p's and q's. I rather enjoy my parents but you may find it challenging talking with them yourself. Luckily they left me a 10 page questionnaire to help determine if people like yourself are able to speak with them. would you care to start?"
or this one,
"Sadly you can't. Ever since I became a big girl and got married, my husband told me they had to move out. So I guess that means you have the wrong number. Good Night"
I figure if they are going to bug me, I will bug them back. I talked to a lady at the newspaper once for 20 mins, trying to see if I could get just the sports section on Tuesdays and front page every other Friday. I say have fun with them....its not like you will be hurt if they don't call you back.
I love Eric's suggestions! Don't forget when Andrew gets a little older (old enough to hold the phone about 6 or 7 months of age) you can hand him the phone.
You want a courteous answer??? WOW...you're better than I...I just say I can't understand/hear them and hang up. Sometimes I give the phone to the kids...or just set it down. And then hang it up later!
Just say they have the wrong number...I mean, if they aren't asking for YOU, then they do! :-)
How did the angel food cake turn out??
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