Netpackrat wrote:Dealing with those people has been a lot less fun since there have been little ears in the house.
You just have to be creative.
I like to sound interested in them and their call, then break in frequently with irrelevant questions or questions based on an intentional misunderstanding. I get them talking about their careers, their kids, the weather where they are. It can be both amusing and relaxing. Then I heartily wish them luck in their endeavors after however long I want to spend with them.
The local university calls quite a bit for donations to public radio or some student fund or another. I get the student talking about her major, where she's from, etc. I ask her whether she's parked in any of the parking lots I designed on campus. I tell them frivolous stories about the elements that went into the design: "You know that big tree that the parking spaces go around on the east side of the lot? That's a shagbark hickory, and the university arborist at the time said it's one of the best specimens on campus. I've spent time looking at it, but I can't see the appeal." Then another question.
If you have time and treat it like a game, it's quite fun.
I think I should consider keeping a blank pistol around for the obnoxious ones and doing the knock on the table thing, tell them to hold on, "Hi. Oh. No, I don't have the money yet. Wait! Don't!" "Bang!" a few seconds of silence, the click.
Note to self: start reading sig lines. They're actually quite amusing. :D