#?*!

the nature of the telemarketer's cold call has changed. this used to be effective strategy:

• ring ring. caller id shows an incomprehensible tag. (bright voice): may i speak with the lady of the house? me (in flat accusing tone): are you selling something? (bright voice): oh no ma'am. i would just like to tell you about this offer... me (rudely interrupting): that's all right. i'd rather not hear about it. off you go. or,
• ring ring. ditto above. (bright voice): may i speak with the man of the house? me (flatly): why? (bright voice): i'd like to speak with the man of the house please. we have an offer we want to tell him about. when shall i call again? me (coldly): that's all right. you needn't call again.

this is no longer useful. they have replaced those bright voices with recorded messages that start running when you innocently answer the 'phone, so although you may wax lyrical in all manner of colorful language and spew forth as explosively as your spirit desires, you'd better not do so because only the children will hear you.