You're Forcing Me to be Rude!

I just feel like everywhere you go, you'll either be taken advantage of or you will be FORCED to be RUDE. Here's what I mean:

The telephone

Ok, we all know it is NOT rude to hang up on a recording. Is it rude to hang up on a wrong number? Is it rude to be snotty to the people who KNOW they have a wrong number but persist in calling anyway?

When we first moved here about ten years ago, we received a new (to us) number from the phone company. I don't think the phone was in service for a full 24 hours before we began receiving collection calls for the STOCKWELLS. Whenever I would receive these calls for the STOCKWELLS, I used to patiently explain that we had moved here from out of state and THIS is the number the phone company gave us. We have no clue even who these STOCKWELLS even are.

Of course, the debt collectors are used to being lied to continually, so they didn't believe me. I would get maybe 10 calls a day or so. And those were only the ones I answered. I began telling these people NOT to call here anymore; this is not the STOCKWELLS' number and if you don't believe me, you can call the phone company and verify it for yourself. Well, one fellow very snidely asked who **I** was and I had just had it. I told him it was none of his flippin' business and hung up on him.

Eventually I got tired of fielding these calls and the phone company was of no help. Oh, they told me I could sign up for a $7 per month service that would ID those calls. Nice of them. They give me a problem number and then they want ME to pay to straighten it out. I think not. We just changed numbers (free!) and I'm sure that some poor soul began receiving calls for the STOCKWELLS not long after.

Telemarketers

Technically, I should file this under "telephone," but these people get a heading all to themselves. I'm on the Missouri Do Not Call List. Do you know what that means? That means I would appreciate not hearing from you if you are a telemarketer. I have my name and number on the list for a reason, and that reason is so that people I don't personally know aren't calling and bugging me all the time.

Yes, I know if you're a charity or vaguely know my second cousin, or whatever, you are legally "safe" under the loopholes of the law. But do you know what? Just because it's LEGAL to pester somebody doesn't make it the right thing to do. If I have my name on the list, do you REALLY think I'm going to welcome the "opportunity" you're presenting today? The free offer? The timeshare in Sunny North Carolina? Do you?

I'm not very brave though. I just tell the person I'm not interested. I'm not brave like one fellow I know who says things like, "WOW! Credit card? I had NO IDEA I could charge stuff so soon after bankruptcy! I'm so excited I'm gonna buy a big screen tv..." I think he enjoys playing with these peoples' minds LOL! And he's a lead pastor too! Surprised? I'm not. These people kinda deserve it.

The Doctor's Office

Ever been to the doctors' office and checked in, right in front of everyone? You have to give them your name. Then they ask in a very loud voice, "And do you still live at 898 Secret Address Street?"

Ugh. I just know someone in that waiting room is a burglar or identity thief on the side, and NOW little Miss here has just basically told them that the house is unguarded for at least an hour and a half. THEN she'll ask, "And is your phone number 867-5309? And do you still have coverage under Insurance Name?"

Thanks! It's even worse when they ask you about your Social Security Number in front of all the illegal immigrants in the Emergency room wait area.

I have taken, in order to protect myself, to interrupting these people whenever possible. Or just telling them *right* when I walk in that I'm Mrs. C, everything you have is current and PLEASE don't announce anything in my records. I will write down anything you need to know.

Of course, the Children's Hospital we sometimes go to to have G a little help with his autism will not take the hint. Even if you write things down they will say, "Is SECRET STREET spelled S-E-C-R-E-T? And that's in YOURTOWN?" Thanks, lady. Now this is a place in the inner city with some bad-looking people. When I go home I want to go to a house that is empty of people and full of stuff and NOT the other way around. So I admit I'm a bit huffy about stuff like that. I know that every physician's office secretary positively hates me, but I take my privacy and personal information seriously. We left a family practice we had used for over seven years because they began printing the SOCIAL SECURITY number in huge numbers at the top of each bill. And there is always a long line to pay bills, after which they leave your sheet face-up on the table. Bye, guys.

Other Places it is Necessary to be Rude

Think of a few and post a comment! Many blessings to you today!

Mrs. C.