I Wish All These Annoying Phone Surveys Would Stop

I am afraid to pick up my phone nowadays thanks to these annoying phone surveyors that are ever calling. As much as I wish I could ignore every unknown number on my phone, it’s not possible in the hustling world of an entrepreneur. Every call is potentially important. This makes this time wasters even more annoying.

First of all, how do they get your number? Is it random or do they pay to gain access to it? Second, who is benefiting from these surveys? I’m guessing the companies that pay for these services. Whatever happened to posting ‘interns’ to hang about on street corners, pen and survey in hand trying to stop passersby? Those were the good old days, when you could quickly walk past. With advancement in technology, they have your number and possibly other information about you.

I received a call today morning from one such company looking to survey me. First thing I noticed was that true caller warned me that the number had been reported as spam. That has never happened. Intrigued, I picked up. I forget the company name (I was walking) but I remember the survey was on local music. The lady introduced herself as Miriam and asked if she could ask me a few questions. I wasn’t busy so I figured she might as well keep me busy on my walk to work. She asked me what radio station I listen to the most and I told her the truth, “I don’t actively listen to any. Unless I’m in a matatu.” She thanked me in a disappointed tone and promptly  hanged up.

I was left aghast. I should be hanging up on you and your survey. Here I am giving you my precious time and you just hang up? Ok, not cool. I’m guessing my lack of consumption of local radio is a problem. Well, then your survey questions need some serious rewriting. You’re not curious about why I don’t actively listen to local radio? Not wondering if I listen to local music at all? Or perhaps it is assumed that because I don’t listen to local radio I don’t consume local music? I consume a lot of local music, just that I consume it online and live. There are the answers you missed out on. I will definitely listen to true caller next time.

Just had a scary thought. It’s 2015 and my phone won’t stop blinking. Every time I pick up an unknown number, it’s someone selling me powder soap. Or tissue. Or lotion. I have a feeling we’re not too far from that. *Screams*

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