But M'am, One More Thing

My phone has caller ID. The result of that is that if I don't recognize the number, or if a call is from a 1-800 number, I usually don't answer the phone.

Last night, for some reason, I did.

"Hello, may I please speak to....." The voice was of a young guy, most definitely not from this country. "Speaking" "Hello Ma'am, my name is Robin. I am calling to tell you that you have just won a free trip..." "Oh yes, free until I have to pay." "No, no ma'am..." and he continued. The poor guy was so obviously reading from a script, and not doing a very good job. And each time I would make a snide remark it totally threw him off. So I listened. I never do that. I usually cut them off, tell them thanks but no thanks, or something. But for some reason, the earnestness in this guys voice - the idea that he was sitting in some other country - earning far less than he deserved just because some Western company could get away with it...

So I grunted, I said "Uh, huh" and I listened. It seemed I won a free trip for two adults to either Vegas, or a two night Carnival Cruise - and all I had to pay was the taxes. Hmmm? Fishy?

Then he started to ask for personal data... and I. Just. Couldn't. Do it. Wonder why.

So I said "No, no, I'm sorry. I can't do that." "But ma'am, but ma'am!" "I'm sorry, I know you work very hard, but I can't do this thank you. Bye." "But ma -

And do I feel better about my made up "good deed." No. Because now I'm thinking what if he gets in trouble for using the time but not closing the deal. So really, the only way I could have REALLY helped would have been to go on the cruise, or go to Vegas....

Next time I'm just not going to answer the phone.