https://slate.com/life/2024/12/work-jobs-sales-telemarketing-america.html
QuoteEventually, as you're hung up on, insulted, rejected by hundreds of leads a day, you realize that, miraculously, you have found the architects of your misery: Here, right here—these are the people responsible! The people you're trying to rip off are simultaneously ripping you off. They are both exploited and exploiters, saviors and enemies. You depend on them, and dependence can only breed contempt.
QuoteWorse yet, decades of wage stagnation and the emergence of the gig economy have generalized the anxiety and pressure that used to be the exclusive domain of sales sweatshops; now we're all pitching all the time, unironically using phrases like "building my personal brand,"
I sold accounting machines & small mainframes door-to-door in the mid-70s. Guys 25-35 yo were making $120k/year in 1975 dollars. You know of Lynsky, but if you want to know about life in the aptly-named "bull pen" (salesmens room) watch Glengarry Glen Ross
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glengarry_Glen_Ross_(film)
I always try to be nice to telemarketers. I feel bad for them. I get they are just doing a job.
I listen for a time, and then say something like "You know, I don't think this is something I need, but thank you for bringing it to my attention. Have a good day."
QuoteEven worse is the "sales mindset." Seeing the world through the lens of selling and dealmaking can feel freeing, even empowering, but all you've done is condemn yourself to a life of never-ending nickel-and-diming. The better you are at selling, the more debased your life becomes, as everything is reduced to a transaction, a leveraging of the smallest edge: Oh, you didn't come? I'll get you next time, twice. You know I'm good for it. "Doris, what if I throw in a $50 calling card?" mutates into "I'll be charming at your office Christmas party if you do the dishes this month," aimed at a befuddled partner who may or may not have yet realized that what they thought was a partnership is in fact closer to a mutual exploitation.
This ... made me sad.
>> nice to telemarketers
>> listen for a time
If the call isn't an obvious scam, I usually just say sorry not interested, and hang up right away. My theory is that it's kinder not to use up their time when there's no possibility of a sale.
On the other hand, it's a game to prolong the conversation with a scammer.