On The Value Of Listening

Many a day I get cold calls from Indian call centres;
I know they are call centres when I hear other calls
being responded to as part of the background noise
-this is far more irritating than they care to think.

The voices I respond to have a strong Indian accent.
Presently my way of dealing with these callers
is to be colder than them; I listen but refuse to speak.

Every call starts with the  phrase 'Are you... ?'
and they say my name whilst saying nothing
about how they got my details, but I know
their question is legally required for them to repeat
with what they are paid to parrot every day.

When I neither confirm nor deny my name
they soon put the phone down. I feel calmer
for resisting the bait and making them end the call.
I'd feel the heat if I put the phone down on them.

A second effect is that in my silence I closely listen
and I hear so much more clearly the condescencion
in their voice which would have driven the sales pitch
had I given my name and encouraged them continue.