Job Snob

[ImNotDancing]

Just wanted to get a feeler out there for other peoples opinions...

My DF just got a call from a telemarketer and reeled of a whole spiel about the telephone preference service but then ended with the words 'get a better job'.

I was fuming on the other persons behalf, DF may find the phone calls annoying but who is he to deem whether their job is good enough? I told him it's the equivelent of telling me working in retail that one day I'll get a real job. AIBU?

Slight cross-post, Boom.

But anyway, perhaps they are looking for a better job and haven't found one yet?

Also meant to say, I agree with juice that I'm always on these threads
when people recount proudly how they dealt with a telemarketer by swearing at them, making 'hilarious' comments about underwear or whatever, or condescend to them.

On moral grounds I think I would prefer someone to be on JSA than working in telesales.

For the young and healthy, unsolicited calls are an irritation. And loads of companies pay no heed to TPS . I have personally reported one firm over a dozen times and they still ring. I ask everyone to not ring again but it's rare that it makes any difference.

But for elderly and vulnerable people, telesales people are parasites, taking advantage of confused minds. My elderly parents are frail. Phone calls make their lives a living hell. Their phone rings dozens of times a day (despite being TPS registered) and they either have to sit and listen to the ringing, which drives them mad and interrupts their much needed rests, or else they struggle out of their seats to reach the phone, risking falling and further injuries. And yes, they should Keep The phone nearby but they are old and they forget.

I am sympathetic to the fact that people need a job but it disgusts me that making people's lives a misery is seen as morally OK just because it's legal.

My dd once had a holiday job in telesales - she said it wasn't much fun being told to fuck off all day long. She didn't last long.
Ever since then I always say 'no thanks' very nicely.

If my landline rings, it's probably not someone I know very well, so I often leave it to go to voicemail, particularly if I'm busy. Occasionally, I might want to call them back. I don't understand the drama about intrusion but then I don't mind people talking to me in the street or knocking on my door without a written appointment either.

You'd have to be pretty mean to do this. It's a shitty job, why make it worse?

BlueMoon I think sharknad was referring to what I said.

Is your df the type of person who is super critical of people claiming benefits?

I imagine he is and is fantastically unaware of his contradictory stance.

I did cold calling part time while I was at uni, hated it although had to laugh when one lady told me off and told me to go and get an education. I understand it's frustrating to receive these calls but a polite no usually suffices!

they either have to sit and listen to the ringing, which drives them mad and interrupts their much needed rests, or else they struggle out of their seats to reach the phone, risking falling and further injuries.

Could you adjust their phone for them so it rings a few times and goes to voicemail on speaker, so they can pick it up if it's a call they want and are near enough to get it?

That's what I'd have done for my elderly mum if she'd have asked. But she didn't.

I had a cold-calling telemarketing job once. It was a shit job. I never blamed anyone who told me so. They didn't ask me to call them.

Yes he was mean but as self employed person who works from home I really really resent these cold callers who persist in ringing despite us being TPS. I didnt see his comment as snobby at all.

Hassling people at home who might be elderly, frail, recently bereaved etc to buy products or worse make false insurance claims is pretty low. Nothing like being a care worker or bin men - both decent useful jobs.

I just say TPS please take us off your lists. Sometimes I ask where they got my number from and then they slam the phone down. Which is even ruder seeing as they rang me! Im with your husband

If only a polite no did actually suffice, it wouldn't be so bad. I don't think I've ever successfully got someone to take me off their telephone list (and no, I don't swear at them or belittle them). In fact, I've always suspected that if you ask them to stop ringing they generally put you down for a call back to teach you a lesson.

treacle, I've asked lots of callers to remove my number and not heard from that number again.

If they're persistent I'll say (still civilly) 'I'm going to hang up' and then hang up. Simple.

It was rude of your Dad and he shouldn't have said it, although if I am honest I can understand his frustration and annoyance. It is an intrusion, and as such it is unwelcome.

I find the TPS has generally worked for us, though the odd call that does get through is met with a polite but firm "No thank you, we don't need your services" from me.

I guess they are people trying to make something of a living. Perhaps all else has failed for them and this is the only job they have been able to get to support their families. It can't be anyone's idea of a dream job after all.

I worked in telesales for a short time over 10 years ago while I was saving money to do my postgrad - I could not believe how unbelievably rude people were to me.

Literally, all that is needed is a 'No thank you,' or even 'Please don't call me again'.

Calling me a cunt, slamming the phone down, whistling down the line, getting your children to speak nonsense to me while cackling away in the background - it is so pathetic. I hated the job, but it was because of the rudeness of the general public not the shitty work I was doing. I have done everything from cleaned toilets to factory production lines and telesales was by far the worst.

Only - Maybe they are, maybe they aren't. Maybe they don't think their job is abusive, maybe they do. We have no way of knowing. What's your point?

only unfortunately it's not simple for my parents. It's simple for me, I can get to the phone. By the time they struggle to the phone to say 'no thanks' their joints are already hurting and they're lightheaded from rushing. And the the company ring back an hour later anyway.

I went into telesales because I was long-term unemployed, the company which took over my claim from the Job Centre asked me what I wanted to be trained in, I said IT, they said, "you've got a lovely voice, you'd do well in telesales." If I could have got a better job, I'd have had one. I didn't really want to work 1pm - 9pm shifts and 4 bank holidays a year. Also my bus stop was right outside a pub, so I had to put up with all the drunken idiots while I was waiting for the bus.

the main reason I don't answer my phone is I can't be bothered to talk to a stranger. hell, I screen calls from people I do know! mainly my manager

I've been stood behind a till when people have told me 'youre better than this place, what's your real career plan?' or even 'what would you know? you just work behind a till' and it feels shit so I would never do that or condone doing that to another human being

BlueMoonRising

I wasn't referring to your post at all, I was actually agreeing with you. Sorry if that wasn't clearer

Surely some people have no choice but to take jobs like this or their benefits would be stopped?

Maybe they hate it too but they have to keep the wolf from the door somehow. None of us live on fresh air alone.

If he has signed up TPS, it seems to it is not the individual he is speaking to that has chosen to ignore that. My parents have a thing where the phone only rings if you identify yourself first and they can see the identity before they pick up, so if it's not welcome they don't. Don't ask me how it works.

And we've tried to sort out call blocking for them but they get regular phone calls from their GPs surgery and the oncology department and they appear as 'caller unknown' on the phone so if you block the unknown callers you actually block the most important calls as well.

I'm often told I'm overreacting on these threads but I suspect if you were to arrive at your elderly parents house to find one of them has been lying on the floor for hours and the other one has been trying for hours to get them up (but they don't want to ring anyone for help because they don't want to be a nuisance) you'd probably feel as strongly as I do.

He was rude but I think you're reading a little too much into it. It was obviously frustration. Of course any job is better than none and a bigger person will do a shittier job rather than nothing.

I was a telemarketer as an after school job. Your fathers response will have been one of the more pleasant one's that man hears.

Troubling aspect of his personality You aren't even aware of how ridiculous that sounds, are you limitedperiod?

So are you studying IT Baths?

There is a difference between telesales and telemarketing - TPS stops sales calls but if you for example, bought a new car and gave your number to the dealer then the car company can put you legally on their list to call for research / customer satisfaction surveys.