I got a call today from a political action group called the governor’s association (or something like that) and they are soliciting funds to support the election of Democratic governors. They think they can win 20 seats back. I am totally in support of this mission but I am tapped out.

My contribution empathy is at an all-time low. The fund raisers don’t stop and every time you contribute you get on another several lists for solicitation. So I told her no. She continued her pitch and I said, yes, I understand, but this is not a good time. She ignored me and kept talking. I jumped in again to say I could not contribute at this time. And she kept talking. I think, probably, she wears a lot of people out. In any case, I said, nicely, “You’re doing a great job and I admire your persistence, but I’m going to hang up now,” and I did.

Some learn this kind of avalanche talking on their own because it suits them, and some learn it in sales courses. The psychology behind this kind of training relies on people wanting to be polite and not thought of as rude and inconsiderate and those who use tactics like the above rely on that mind set. Years ago, my dear friend, Inese called, in tears, to say that she had a migraine because so-and-so had called and stayed on the phone for 2 hours, and she kept telling her she had to go now, and her caller wouldn’t listen but kept talking. I told Inese that her problem was that she thought she needed the caller’s permission to hang up. If the caller was so insensitive as to keep on after my friend told her she couldn’t talk any more, she had every right to say, “I have to go now, goodbye,” and hang up.

So I offer the above in case anyone out there has a similar wish to never be thought of as impolite. People who do this are the ones who are being rude and inconsiderate. Think of that the next time you want “permission” to be free of them.

xx, Teal