(1) I am not any of the following: a social worker, a psychologist, a grief counsellor, a dial-a-friend. I am not calling so that you can give me your life story, I am actually trying to sell you something. I have no interest whatsoever in hearing about your dead husband or your family situation or anything like that. Also, if you have anger management issues, do not take it out on me. Just because I call you at a bad time does not give you the right to call me names, shout at me or use foul language. I am polite to you and you should be the same to me.
(2) On the topic of politeness: there are a thousand ways of saying 'no'. Some are good, some are bad. As a general rule, the way you want to pick is the one that causes the least harm to either of us. A simple 'not interested, thanks' will do. You don't have to wish me anything, but it's brownie points if you do.
(3) You are probably not interested in whatever I have to offer you. Not many people go for an appraisal or their home or a sales talk from a real estate agent. That's fine. I am used to getting no for an answer. So if you know you're not interested, there's no point in waiting until I am done talking. The scripts I get are huge and it might be a while. Interrupt me, please! The sooner you make it clear that you're not interested, the sooner I can call someone who might be and the sooner you can get back to your family dinner.
(4) I tend not to try and manipulate you too far, unless you sound like you're in doubt. But if you get a pushy colleague, just repeat that you're not interested and hang up. Conversation over.
(5) Many people ask where I got their number from. Some companies want me to say we got it from the phone book or the local council. I don't know if that's true or not, but be assured that plenty of numbers on my list come from other companies. You may have signed up for something five years ago and that's gotten back to me. Information gets sold, people! Also, any new information you give me will be added to that list. So be very very careful.
(6) Not many people think of this, but in many countries a company has to take you off their call list if you request it. So go ahead and tell the telemarketer you want off the list.
Thank you.
Okay, I had to get that off my chest. Now for the future bit. I'm taking the train/bus to Walpole coming Sunday for the hike. I bought about $200 worth of gear today, including a shitload of food. But now I am completely set for any camping adventure. Among the things I bought was a hat. Yup, I finally bought one and I love it. Pictures to come, of course.
I have to admit that I'm very much doubting if I can pull this whole Walpole to Albany thing off. It's rapidly getting colder during the day and the last dry day I've had must have been almost a week ago. It's just been showers, but they might be more annoying than pouring-down rain. Anyway, if this weather continues, I can see myself walking in the rain all day, then setting up my tent in the mud, getting rain and sludge everywhere, then crawling in my damp sleeping bag for a chilled night. Urgh. I hope that won't be the case (and it probably won't be). Also, experience is an issue here. I have only done three-hour hikes until now and now I am attempting 200 kilometres in 12 days? How crazy am I?
Crazy enough to actually pack my things tomorrow and bugger off on Sunday, to at least make it to Denmark (where I heard there's a festival of some sort going on at the moment - could be fun) and if at all possible to Walpole. To finally have some sense of being alone, to finally know what it's like to be in a place with no unnatural light. It's going to be cool and despite the paragraph above, I am very excited.
. Hope you're okay and keep us posted! Take care!
