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Hi! I've been a lurker for awhile, resurfacing with stories 
Background: So I'm a college student, working a school tele-soliciting job (yikes, I know). Basically, I call former students and ask them for donations to the school. As you could imagine, I get some ridiculous answers. Here are some of the more common ones:
Stock answer #1: I haven't given money since the university started to let women in.
I'll also get women who were among the first to be let in complaining about their horrible experiences. I mean, come on. They can't have expected that going to a traditionally all-male school was going to be a cakewalk. Be proud of the progress your alma mater has made, damn it. You paved the way. Don't be whiny about it.
Stock answer #2: (Incredibly condescendingly) Now, honey/darlin'/girl/sweetheart/dear, I'm sure you're just having a great time there, but I don't think I can do this this year. (Invariably people who have never, ever donated.)
Me: Ok, well is there any particular reason why not? (I am REQUIRED to ask this. It's a school. They want to know your opinion. You should like that.)
Them: Not this year, <insert demeaning pet name>. Thank you.
Me: But do you have a particular reason? The university wants to know the opinions of its alumni.
Them: Alright, <pet name>. Buh-bye. *Hangs up*
GAAAAHHHHHH! I haaate it when people try to pretend to be polite by being condescending and hanging up when pressed. Treating me like a stupid 5 year old is not polite, it's ridiculous.
I can't remember any more stock answers right now because I have this doozy on my mind:
(BG: There are a list of reasons why most alumni refuse to donate, and this is fine. But, there are also a list of responses that we are expected to use, just in case this changes the alum's mind. It does often enough that they are worth using.)
Me: Hello! *greeting + soliciting*
Angry Man: No, I don't donate.
Me: Oh, I'm sorry to hear that, is there a reason why not?
AM: Well, I just don't agreed with *controversial professor who works here*. His policies are absolutely ridiculous and heartless. (He's a big deal in the morals/ethics community)
Me: Well, I've actually taken one of his classes, he presents a balanced view, brings in people to debate, blahblahblah (actually one of the best classes I've taken here, he's really an amazing guy).
AM: Honey, do you KNOW his platform?
Me: Yes, actually, he advocates <this> because he subscribes to <theory>, it's all very logical if you accept his basic tenet of morality.
AM: His basic tenet of morality is KILLING BABIES! *HANG UP*
Ok. Don't bait me into a real discussion only to turn tables on me and go FUCKNUTS CRAZY before slamming down the phone.
Also, what is with the pet names? I get it SO often, and these people can't even see me. Is it the fact that I have a female voice? Does that really warrant so much condescension?
Background: So I'm a college student, working a school tele-soliciting job (yikes, I know). Basically, I call former students and ask them for donations to the school. As you could imagine, I get some ridiculous answers. Here are some of the more common ones:
Stock answer #1: I haven't given money since the university started to let women in.
I'll also get women who were among the first to be let in complaining about their horrible experiences. I mean, come on. They can't have expected that going to a traditionally all-male school was going to be a cakewalk. Be proud of the progress your alma mater has made, damn it. You paved the way. Don't be whiny about it.
Stock answer #2: (Incredibly condescendingly) Now, honey/darlin'/girl/sweetheart/dear, I'm sure you're just having a great time there, but I don't think I can do this this year. (Invariably people who have never, ever donated.)
Me: Ok, well is there any particular reason why not? (I am REQUIRED to ask this. It's a school. They want to know your opinion. You should like that.)
Them: Not this year, <insert demeaning pet name>. Thank you.
Me: But do you have a particular reason? The university wants to know the opinions of its alumni.
Them: Alright, <pet name>. Buh-bye. *Hangs up*
GAAAAHHHHHH! I haaate it when people try to pretend to be polite by being condescending and hanging up when pressed. Treating me like a stupid 5 year old is not polite, it's ridiculous.
I can't remember any more stock answers right now because I have this doozy on my mind:
(BG: There are a list of reasons why most alumni refuse to donate, and this is fine. But, there are also a list of responses that we are expected to use, just in case this changes the alum's mind. It does often enough that they are worth using.)
Me: Hello! *greeting + soliciting*
Angry Man: No, I don't donate.
Me: Oh, I'm sorry to hear that, is there a reason why not?
AM: Well, I just don't agreed with *controversial professor who works here*. His policies are absolutely ridiculous and heartless. (He's a big deal in the morals/ethics community)
Me: Well, I've actually taken one of his classes, he presents a balanced view, brings in people to debate, blahblahblah (actually one of the best classes I've taken here, he's really an amazing guy).
AM: Honey, do you KNOW his platform?
Me: Yes, actually, he advocates <this> because he subscribes to <theory>, it's all very logical if you accept his basic tenet of morality.
AM: His basic tenet of morality is KILLING BABIES! *HANG UP*
Ok. Don't bait me into a real discussion only to turn tables on me and go FUCKNUTS CRAZY before slamming down the phone.
Also, what is with the pet names? I get it SO often, and these people can't even see me. Is it the fact that I have a female voice? Does that really warrant so much condescension?
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