Can We Talk 2

Answering Machine

         Yes, I am one of those people who lets the answering machine screen my phone calls. Most of my calls are just sale calls, so I don't want to talk to them. There's also the drug store just calling my dad to let him know his prescription is ready. I switched to text messages on my cell for my drugs, so that's reduced a few calls.

         I'm tired of all the Medicare supplement calls, the mortgage calls, election polls,charity drives, etc. We have our insurance handled. No one here has any credit card debt. The mortgage has been zero for over a decade. I discovered that when you give to a charity, they are never satisfied, but will call you every six weeks or so for more.I'd rather have junk mail, but that costs the beggars more than automated calls.

         I can choose my own charities without random calls. For voting matters, I'd prefer to have something in writing, so that I can think about it. These calls tend to come at inconvenient times and always last too long. I have become a person who hangs up, not only on computerized calls, but even live callers, no apologies.

         If it's someone I with whom I want to talk, like the doctor's office, I'll pick up. If I miss the call, and there's a message, and I'll call back. I want the insurance people, the credit card companies, the debt companies and other solicitors to back off. Phone solicitation is one of my pet peeves.

         I never give out my cell phone to anyone but friends and doctors (and the drug store). Yet, most of my missed calls are from long distance unknown callers--solicitors who don't know me. I'm just a random number. At least the home phone is on some sales list for home owner, retailer, age related, or political party. (Like everyone over 50 needs a security tag, insurance, a reverse mortgage, or incontinence products.) If you call me, identify yourself and wait: I might run to the phone before you hang up.