Comments on: Call and Response http://www.tabletmag.com/jewish-life-and-religion/26030/call-and-response-2/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=call-and-response-2 A New Read on Jewish Life Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:33:55 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Kristopher Koble http://www.tabletmag.com/jewish-life-and-religion/26030/call-and-response-2/#comment-1809564 Kristopher Koble Wed, 29 Jun 2011 09:25:44 +0000 http://www.tabletmag.com/?p=26030#comment-1809564 Kristopher Koble Kristopher Koble

]]> By: dylan http://www.tabletmag.com/jewish-life-and-religion/26030/call-and-response-2/#comment-23527 dylan Wed, 24 Mar 2010 17:39:18 +0000 http://www.tabletmag.com/?p=26030#comment-23527 I have done this exact activity. I also call 1 800 Time-Life CD collection infomercials and ask if the set includes "I Love You There" by the Infamous Cromags. I have done this exact activity.
I also call 1 800 Time-Life CD collection infomercials and ask if the set includes “I Love You There” by the Infamous Cromags.

]]> By: Esther Udwin http://www.tabletmag.com/jewish-life-and-religion/26030/call-and-response-2/#comment-15827 Esther Udwin Fri, 26 Feb 2010 09:08:18 +0000 http://www.tabletmag.com/?p=26030#comment-15827 Fortunately I am deaf... Fortunately I am deaf…

]]> By: Gary Wexler http://www.tabletmag.com/jewish-life-and-religion/26030/call-and-response-2/#comment-15255 Gary Wexler Wed, 24 Feb 2010 15:01:07 +0000 http://www.tabletmag.com/?p=26030#comment-15255 I read this half an hour ago and haven't stopped laughing for a second. I have a close friend who owned a telemarketing company, made millions selling bogus xerox toner and then was raided by federal agents. I told him he was lucky that none of the people he badgered had come to shoot him over the years. The charity telemarketing has become more bothersome than the product telemarketing because when you say no to them, you feel guilty. I read this half an hour ago and haven’t stopped laughing for a second. I have a close friend who owned a telemarketing company, made millions selling bogus xerox toner and then was raided by federal agents. I told him he was lucky that none of the people he badgered had come to shoot him over the years. The charity telemarketing has become more bothersome than the product telemarketing because when you say no to them, you feel guilty.

]]> By: Cathleen Zepelin http://www.tabletmag.com/jewish-life-and-religion/26030/call-and-response-2/#comment-15009 Cathleen Zepelin Tue, 23 Feb 2010 20:24:51 +0000 http://www.tabletmag.com/?p=26030#comment-15009 I truly breaks my heart when telemarketers call and ask to speak to my deceased husband. The fourth anniversary of his yahrzeit is coming up March 4. Now I understand why they don't believe me when I say he died; the ACLU continued calling and asking for him even after I informed them some four or five times that he was no longer available and should be removed from the calling list. I truly breaks my heart when telemarketers call and ask to speak to my deceased husband. The fourth anniversary of his yahrzeit is coming up March 4. Now I understand why they don’t believe me when I say he died; the ACLU continued calling and asking for him even after I informed them some four or five times that he was no longer available and should be removed from the calling list.

]]> By: cib http://www.tabletmag.com/jewish-life-and-religion/26030/call-and-response-2/#comment-14666 cib Mon, 22 Feb 2010 15:18:03 +0000 http://www.tabletmag.com/?p=26030#comment-14666 The famous Seinfeld routine is funny, but that is make-believe. In real life I always politely say no - I have an advanced degree and a career and I figure, there but for the grace of G-d.... The famous Seinfeld routine is funny, but that is make-believe. In real life I always politely say no – I have an advanced degree and a career and I figure, there but for the grace of G-d….

]]> By: Shirah Hecht http://www.tabletmag.com/jewish-life-and-religion/26030/call-and-response-2/#comment-14647 Shirah Hecht Mon, 22 Feb 2010 15:00:57 +0000 http://www.tabletmag.com/?p=26030#comment-14647 This was wonderful. Also note Jerry Seinfeld's response, asking for the telemarketer's home phone number so he can call back at another time. This was wonderful. Also note Jerry Seinfeld’s response, asking for the telemarketer’s home phone number so he can call back at another time.

]]> By: Maurice Tszorf http://www.tabletmag.com/jewish-life-and-religion/26030/call-and-response-2/#comment-14307 Maurice Tszorf Sun, 21 Feb 2010 07:01:29 +0000 http://www.tabletmag.com/?p=26030#comment-14307 Tom Mabe made a business out of his discussions with telemarketers. http://www.amazon.com/Revenge-Telemarketers-Round-One-Mabe/dp/B0000488RE Must be on YouTube, too. Hilarious. Tom Mabe made a business out of his discussions with telemarketers.
http://www.amazon.com/Revenge-Telemarketers-Round-One-Mabe/dp/B0000488RE
Must be on YouTube, too. Hilarious.

]]> By: Rachel http://www.tabletmag.com/jewish-life-and-religion/26030/call-and-response-2/#comment-13893 Rachel Sat, 20 Feb 2010 02:53:12 +0000 http://www.tabletmag.com/?p=26030#comment-13893 Maybe for his next book, Etgar could write about being Devorah on the other end of the phone. Etgar, if you're out there, I am a huge fan of your work. You drew a sheep on a skateboard in a copy of my book once and I still cherish it. I love that you write for Tablet! Maybe for his next book, Etgar could write about being Devorah on the other end of the phone.

Etgar, if you’re out there, I am a huge fan of your work. You drew a sheep on a skateboard in a copy of my book once and I still cherish it. I love that you write for Tablet!

]]> By: Stanley Gray http://www.tabletmag.com/jewish-life-and-religion/26030/call-and-response-2/#comment-13884 Stanley Gray Sat, 20 Feb 2010 01:52:31 +0000 http://www.tabletmag.com/?p=26030#comment-13884 They almsot ask how are you and I answer not well. When they say "I'm sorry", they usually try to ask what is wrong - or say something is not too serious. I answer with, "I'm having a difficult time trying to get an erection" A silence follows, and mostly thet hang up before I do. They almsot ask how are you and I answer not well. When they say “I’m sorry”, they usually try to ask what is wrong – or say something is not too serious. I answer with, “I’m having a difficult time trying to get an erection” A silence follows, and mostly thet hang up before I do.

]]> By: Judy Meltzer http://www.tabletmag.com/jewish-life-and-religion/26030/call-and-response-2/#comment-13829 Judy Meltzer Fri, 19 Feb 2010 20:11:12 +0000 http://www.tabletmag.com/?p=26030#comment-13829 How about giving the telemarketer a forwarding number for the deceased - she could have a whole new audience. Shalom from Baltimoore, Etgar. We still talk about your wonderful visit to Chizuk Amuno Congregation. How about giving the telemarketer a forwarding number for the deceased – she could have a whole new audience.
Shalom from Baltimoore, Etgar. We still talk about your wonderful visit to Chizuk Amuno Congregation.

]]> By: Toby Harris http://www.tabletmag.com/jewish-life-and-religion/26030/call-and-response-2/#comment-13820 Toby Harris Fri, 19 Feb 2010 19:37:01 +0000 http://www.tabletmag.com/?p=26030#comment-13820 This was hysterical! It gave me a really good laugh and I think some of you may have taken it a little too seriously! I would think it's much more entertaining for telemarketers to hear creative stories every now and then than "no, thank you," repeatedly. This was hysterical! It gave me a really good laugh and I think some of you may have taken it a little too seriously! I would think it’s much more entertaining for telemarketers to hear creative stories every now and then than “no, thank you,” repeatedly.

]]> By: Joe Shemtov http://www.tabletmag.com/jewish-life-and-religion/26030/call-and-response-2/#comment-13819 Joe Shemtov Fri, 19 Feb 2010 19:31:23 +0000 http://www.tabletmag.com/?p=26030#comment-13819 I'm a rare book librarian, but in my former life I was a saleman and manager in Dante's Inferno of hell. When we were selling software to residences a common objection would be "the person who owned the computer just died" which would then elicit the callous response "so who inherited the computer?" It's a tough business, but it's a living for many. Although the best response is probably "please take off your list" or put me on the No Telemarkeing List" when I'm telemarketed today I choose the path of least resistance and often respond cowardly with "I'm just the baby-sitter can you call back later? I’m a rare book librarian, but in my former life I was a saleman and manager in Dante’s Inferno of hell. When we were selling software to residences a common objection would be “the person who owned the computer just died” which would then elicit the callous response “so who inherited the computer?” It’s a tough business, but it’s a living for many. Although the best response is probably “please take off your list” or put me on the No Telemarkeing List” when I’m telemarketed today I choose the path of least resistance and often respond cowardly with “I’m just the baby-sitter can you call back later?

]]> By: Marvin Margoshes http://www.tabletmag.com/jewish-life-and-religion/26030/call-and-response-2/#comment-13807 Marvin Margoshes Fri, 19 Feb 2010 18:37:07 +0000 http://www.tabletmag.com/?p=26030#comment-13807 My phone is on the do-not-call list, and most of these callers know that it is illegal for them to call me. I don't owe them politeness. They are rude just by calling. Years ago, I got a call at dinner time that just left a call-back number. I was free after dinner and putting the kids to bed, so I called that number. I got an out-of-service message. They turned off one machine that kept bothering people, and turned off the other. Not very considerate folks. My phone is on the do-not-call list, and most of these callers know that it is illegal for them to call me. I don’t owe them politeness. They are rude just by calling.

Years ago, I got a call at dinner time that just left a call-back number. I was free after dinner and putting the kids to bed, so I called that number. I got an out-of-service message. They turned off one machine that kept bothering people, and turned off the other. Not very considerate folks.

]]> By: Marvin Margoshes http://www.tabletmag.com/jewish-life-and-religion/26030/call-and-response-2/#comment-13806 Marvin Margoshes Fri, 19 Feb 2010 18:36:08 +0000 http://www.tabletmag.com/?p=26030#comment-13806 My phone is on the do-not-call list, and most of these callers know that it is illegal for them to call me. I don't owe them politeness. They are rude just by calling. Years ago, I got a cll at dinner time that just left a call-back number. I was free after dinner and putting the kids to bed, so I called that number. I got an out-of-service message. They turned off one machine that kept bothering people, and turned off the other. Not very considerate folks. My phone is on the do-not-call list, and most of these callers know that it is illegal for them to call me. I don’t owe them politeness. They are rude just by calling.

Years ago, I got a cll at dinner time that just left a call-back number. I was free after dinner and putting the kids to bed, so I called that number. I got an out-of-service message. They turned off one machine that kept bothering people, and turned off the other. Not very considerate folks.

]]> By: Susan Barnes http://www.tabletmag.com/jewish-life-and-religion/26030/call-and-response-2/#comment-13801 Susan Barnes Fri, 19 Feb 2010 17:49:24 +0000 http://www.tabletmag.com/?p=26030#comment-13801 Having managed telemarketers, I agree the nicest thing you can do for them if you don't want to buy what they're selling is to tell them so as soon as possible, to give them a chance to use their time trying to reach someone who is interested. Believe me, if they can't handle taking "no" for an answer, they're in the wrong business. They hear it all the time. Having managed telemarketers, I agree the nicest thing you can do for them if you don’t want to buy what they’re selling is to tell them so as soon as possible, to give them a chance to use their time trying to reach someone who is interested. Believe me, if they can’t handle taking “no” for an answer, they’re in the wrong business. They hear it all the time.

]]> By: Dwora Fried http://www.tabletmag.com/jewish-life-and-religion/26030/call-and-response-2/#comment-13786 Dwora Fried Fri, 19 Feb 2010 17:19:52 +0000 http://www.tabletmag.com/?p=26030#comment-13786 Well, you may think it's a coincidence, but I consider it my birthday surprise....Etgar is one of my favorite writers, so the fact that he used my name for one of his characters is such a treat!!!! Well, you may think it’s a coincidence, but I consider it my birthday surprise….Etgar is one of my favorite writers, so the fact that he used my name for one of his characters is such a treat!!!!

]]> By: Vicki http://www.tabletmag.com/jewish-life-and-religion/26030/call-and-response-2/#comment-13775 Vicki Fri, 19 Feb 2010 16:57:07 +0000 http://www.tabletmag.com/?p=26030#comment-13775 If it's between Etgar and Shalom Auslander, I can't choose. Loved this story. If it’s between Etgar and Shalom Auslander, I can’t choose. Loved this story.

]]> By: Hadass http://www.tabletmag.com/jewish-life-and-religion/26030/call-and-response-2/#comment-13767 Hadass Fri, 19 Feb 2010 16:40:40 +0000 http://www.tabletmag.com/?p=26030#comment-13767 Great stuff, Etgar! Great stuff, Etgar!

]]> By: Blu http://www.tabletmag.com/jewish-life-and-religion/26030/call-and-response-2/#comment-13732 Blu Fri, 19 Feb 2010 15:09:34 +0000 http://www.tabletmag.com/?p=26030#comment-13732 From what I understand, telemarketers make their money by actually selling stuff, not by how long they can keep you on the phone. If you know you aren't going to buy their stuff, then prolonging the conversation not only wastes your time, but their time and ability to potentially make money on their next call. How can it be considered rude to end the call as quickly as possible? From what I understand, telemarketers make their money by actually selling stuff, not by how long they can keep you on the phone. If you know you aren’t going to buy their stuff, then prolonging the conversation not only wastes your time, but their time and ability to potentially make money on their next call.

How can it be considered rude to end the call as quickly as possible?

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