Nosy Phone Calls

Maggie answers the phone, knows she can't handle whatever-it-is the stranger is saying, and passes the phone off to Mom.  I pick up the receiver and say hello.

"Have I reached you today on a land line or on a cell phone?"

A confused look pops out on my face.  "Why do you want to know?"

"It's the first question on our survey today."

Me: "I won't be answering that question today."


She responded firmly: "Are you on a land line or on a cell phone?  It's the first question I have for you on our survey today about vaccinations in your community."


"I won't be answering that question today."

Caller: "How many children between the ages of 2 and 59 months do you have in your household?"

Me (in partial shock and partial laughter):  "I won't be answering that question today."

Well, I must have sounded more snippy than I intended because her irritated response was, "You don't have to be so hostile about this."

Putting on my best effort at a pleasant voice: "I'm not being hostile.  I'm just telling you that I won't be answering your questions today."

"WHY do you have to be so difficult about this?!  Now, how many children between the ages of ..."

"Excuse me.  I won't be answering your questions today.  I'm going to hang up now.  Buh-bye."



Wow.