Compromise


Columnist Skala wearing large blinders to the world

Nordonia Hills Sun, Northfield, Ohio, Thursday, March 30, 1995

This is in response to Mary Jane Skala's "Reflections" column, entitled "So Mother said to never hang up on a telemarketer?" (March 23).

I sure wish my only worry was how to rid the world of telemarketers. What an easy life you must lead, Mary Jane. Obviously, after being brought up in a "starched suburban upbringing", you've learned quite a few other traits beyond "never hanging up on a telemarketer". Could these traits possibly be snobbishness, selfishness and simple-mindedness? Do you believe anyone below your own standards is worthless? That's the picture you paint of yourself, and frankly, I'm sure glad I wasn't brought up that way.

I can understand wanting to rid the world of telephone sales people (or at least your own little world). I don't enjoy being bothered at home either, especially after 10 hours at the office - telemarketing!

What I cannot understand or forgive is your appalling, uncaring and uppity attitude. Believing that the "majority" of telemarketers can't read or that "many are little more than chimpanzees" shows that you obviously have very little intelligence yourself. Look, Mary Jane, not only can I read, but lo and behold, I can write!

Now, let me educate you on the main reason intelligent, educated people like myself (most telemarketers are intelligent and educated, by the way) are telemarketing in the first place: flexibility. For people with children at home or wanting a second job, the field's flexibility is perfect. How many other jobs can you find where you can take any day off you choose only to make the hours up somewhere later in the week? You see, we're actually quite a bit smarter than you thought.

As far as "phony pleasantries" go, when I ask someone, "How are you?", it is because I care. If you've just had a bad day and answer the phone in a bad mood, why would I bother to ask you for anything? Furthermore, I wouldn't expect any telemarketers to ask you how you are anytime soon. After being cut down by someone wearing a rather large set of blinders blocking out the rest of the world, no one cares anymore.

One more thing, Mary Jane, and this one may be a "toughie" for someone who went from the maiden name of Day to the married name of Skala: Test your own literacy and pronounce my last name correctly the first time!

Kathleen Patrice Tschudy



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