Monday 7 November 2011

Bizarre Phonecall and Lesson Thereby Learned

Back in August, in blog entitled "Hinterland, More People at Door & a Walk" (can be found under Blog Archives) I told the saga of a so called Roy Morgan Research Poll that was asked to participate in. Asked, that is to say - someone walked all the way up to front door; caught me out, informed me they needed a few minutes of my time and proceeded to ask meaningless questions about things like TV-watching for over 45 minutes.

Extract:

"This time, was asked by mystery-guest to take part in Morgan Poll (Roy Morgan Research). The Morgan Poll is, apparently, the most widely accepted Australian opinion poll there is. And was only going to take a few moments. Fabulous!
Of course, wish to do my part and ensure I make a "significant contribution to social and political decision-making and project development in Australia"! 45 minutes later was starting to feel slightly less enthusiastic, and when I was finally done politely declining to discuss my income and / or bank balance as well as admitting to having drunk eight out of ten types of booze in the past week - immediately rung up Swedish Neighbour to warn her of impending doom. She has two kids under the age of three, and certainly no time to contribute to statistics in a meaningful way..."
...

End of extract.

Following the Incident - people from Roy Morgan (who have my mobile number given to them by YOURS TRULY in very weak moment of audacious trust) have been calling incessantly to... well, not quite sure, as they without fail ring whilst am cooking dinner - so have never picked up. Assumed they would eventually get the message and lose my number, as it were.

Wrong.

... It was Friday night... after a long day... was halfway through bottle of Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc... was in middle of preparing vegan Spinach & Pea Lasagna, when...
The telephone rings!!! Am distracted... pick it up - HUGE mistake... The following conversation ensues, practically verbatim
- this really happened!!!

RMRR (Roy Morgan Research Rep): - "Hello, I'm calling from Roy Morgan Research, about six weeks ago you participated in a face to face interview with one of our researchers who had a computer screen? (...) Unfortunately the screen was broken so I just need to confirm a few details from you if that's possible?"
Me: - "Ok, what?" (stirring spinach mix, hoping against reason that it will be quick so can hang up)
RMRR: - "(...) Well, uhm, do you smoke?"
Me: - "No..." (slightly taken aback by surprising question, do not recall this even being in original interview)
RMRR: (sounding very surprised) - "So you don't smoke cigars?!"

*Note: CIGARS. Not cigarettes, like normal people - cigars. As if were businessman-from-the-Fifties.*

Me: (a little offended, very annoyed - admittedly always get much more annoyed with stupid people after having consumed sav blanc) - "NO!" (attempting to send strong message with tone of voice)
RMRR: (having collected himself after shock of finding out that I do not smoke cigars after all) - "Oh good. Can I just confirm your last name?"
Me: - "NO. Goodbye!"

I eagerly anticipate the continuation of this tale. Will there be another phonecall? Or perhaps, oh mercy, will they blacklist me? One can only hope.

Hubby has duly lectured me for giving out name and phone number in first place. Very careless behaviour.




Increases levels of assertiveness..?












2 comments:

Emmy said...

Oh dear.... How can they call up and ask things like that... Next time (if you feel like picking up)start making up random statements and maybe even start asking them same questions back for a bit of fun? =)

Anna said...

Yes, if they call again I will ask the caller if they can recommend a good brand of cigars.