A couple of weeks ago I got an unsolicited phone call from a home security service wanting to install a security system for free. No doubt you’ve had such a call yourself.
The gentleman on the phone was nice enough. I explained I lived in a very small home with nothing much worth saving and did not feel like I needed a security system. He thanked me for my time and we hung up.
That’s when it started.
Over the last two weeks I’ve had 4 or 5 calls from that same number. It is an automated, computer-generated call. When I answered the phone, there was no one on the other end. It started to get frustrating.
Then…on the last call (I hope)…
I answered the phone. This time there was a gentleman on the other end. My conversation went something like this:
Me: Hello?
Him: May I speak to Tim Childers please?
Me. That would be me.
Him: Mr. Childers, I am calling on behalf of XYZ Security systems. We would like to offer….
Me: Excuse me, but I’ve already had this phone call before. I already told the first gentleman I do not need a security system. Please remove me from your call list.
Him: Mr. Childers, did you take the time to listen to our offer during the last call? Are you aware…
Me: Sir, I don’t need to listen to the sales pitch. I do not want your product. Your computer has called me several times over the last two weeks. Each time I answer the computer does not connect me to a person. I do not want any more calls from you. Please remove me from your call list.
Him: Sir, are you aware that you filled out a form online asking us to call you?
Me (more heated): I can assure you that I have never filled out a form asking for a home security company to call me.
Him: Sir, yes you did. You filled out a form with a sister company of ours and that generated our calls to you.
Me: Listen, all I’m asking is that you take me off your list. Do not call me again.
Him: Mr. Childers, why did you fill out the form online if you did not wish to be contacted?
Me: OK, you are not hearing me. I DID NOT FILL OUT A FORM ONLINE. I DO NOT WANT YOU TO CALL ME ANYMORE.
Him: Sir, I would suggest that you stop filling out forms when you do not have any intention of hearing about the offer you were interested in.
CLICK
OK, yes, I hung up. There was no longer a need to continue this conversation. I was fed up. Completely. Totally. Over it.
But here is my question. How many times have we been so determined to get our point across to kids in our classes that we totally missed the fact that they really just didn’t want to hear it? The reason is not important. Maybe they had a bad morning at home. Maybe they didn’t eat breakfast. Maybe their boyfriend/girlfriend broke up with them. Maybe they are just obnoxious and rude. What difference does it make?
The more we talk when they aren’t listening, the more we risk having them hang up the phone in their brains and cut us off. Back up. Take a breath. Teach another student. But don’t do this.