The phone experience was interesting. I learned that: 1) Most of those in the less than 30 years old age group weren't at home. 2) Men were much more graphic in their description of where I could stick "it" than women. One man told me that he had a bullet for me and that SOB that I was calling on behalf of. Most of the women told me that it was none of my business whether they were voting. 3) I found that those who were older than 80 years were happy to have someone to talk to. Maybe they were lonely, but they seemed to enjoy telling me about the issues they thought were important. 4) I would say that about half the people I reached were enthusiastic about the candidate and said that they would definitely be voting.
I didn't take anything said as being personal. That's not to say that I didn't think some of the comments were filled with so much anger and hate. Nothing new there when it comes to politics! It was good to be cordial even if the other person was rude. I have learned something about detaching from emotionally charged situations! I realize that getting calls, regardless of what they are about, can be a real nuisance. After doing the calls, I definitely have more compassion for telemarketers now. It felt good to be done with my long list of names and to end the evening on a good note with some positive thoughts from an ardent supporter that I reached.
i take my hat off to you. that's not an easy job. and that you can detach is brilliant, otherwise it would surely be a bit of a nightmare... take it easy now and feel better real soon!
ReplyDeleteIt was amazing to not engage in those who wanted to debate. But that wasn't the purpose.
DeleteWhen I was in college, one of my advertising classes had to do a phone survey about fast-forwarding over commercials, and I found similar responses. Although not too many people told me to "stick it", lol. A load of them were irritated that I was calling during prime time TV, though.
ReplyDeleteThere is a lot more hate and enmity these days.
DeleteI never minded getting candidate calls from either side Syd, as long as the person on the other end of the phone knew more than I did about their candidate. When they didn't it really is an irritant.
ReplyDeleteRest up old man.
Thanks, Mark. We weren't there to debate the issues, just find out whether the person was voting and for whom. We did ask which issues they thought were most important, if we got that far. LOL. Lots of anger out there.
DeleteAmen to that.
Deletewow that had to be an experience...cant imagine what you heard...well i can a bit...teaching govt class we get into some debates and fact checking, you would not believe the things they believe...
ReplyDeleteI heard a lot. I loved this one," I wouldn't vote for ______ if he had gold rings in his nose". WTF??
DeleteFeel better!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteGood for you, Syd! You are doing your part as a citizen!
ReplyDeleteNow yes, rest.
It was really a good experience and I'm going back for more starting Oct. 1
DeleteThis is a great way to practice detachment. Although you don't have a relationship with the people you called. I'm glad you can let harsh words roll off your back. Get well.
ReplyDeleteSome were quite harsh. But then the good words were there as well.
DeleteMany people around here no longer have land lines. I wonder if that is affecting any polling. My sister is about as Republican as you can get, and I lean quite a bit in the other direction. And being very aware of our differences... I think we've come to realized that people with differing views are not all idiots.
ReplyDeleteThis list had cell phones as well. Not sure how the list was acquired. I will ask about that next time.
DeleteI'm on the "do not call" registry, and I get very peeved when I get unsolicited calls. I'm glad I didn't have to hang up on you, dear Syd.
ReplyDeleteLOL Lou--That's okay. I heard that click quite a few times. I realize that it is annoying to call. I wonder whether the calling strategy is a good one or not. Probably it is something that I will ask about in the future.
DeleteGood for you Syd! That lack of civility sounds ominous.
ReplyDeleteI wonder the same as Marcia. I dropped my land line years ago and have never been called about politics since.
ReplyDeleteFunny, another blogger I read just complained about all the calls she has been getting on the candidates, issues, etc...
Glad you're getting involved Syd. Living here in North Carolina I can imagine how rough some of the calls can be. I had a lady call me and when I told her I appreciated the call and that I was definitely voting her way she almost cried and thanked me profusely. I wondered at the time how much verbal abuse she must have gone through to react so emotionally to my remark.
ReplyDeleteYou are a brave man doing the telemarketing scenario these days.
ReplyDeleteMost of my calls on the land line are from India trying to sell me something or another. It's a real test for my program, I can get quite annoyed with the intrusion.
As a young woman I worked in the telemarketing end of things and found it fun, theatrical really. Some days I assumed numerous personas depending on the situation. Oh those were the days ...