I hate it when...
...some bastard in a call-centre 'phones me up, despite me being on the 'telephone preference' thingy, and tries to flog me something. So here's what I do:
First; try and sound really interested, ask a few questions etc.
Second; say, "Excuse me a minute, there's someone at the door. I'll just get rid of them."
Third; lay the hand-set down and continue watching TV until the 'phone makes that funny noise that indicates the caller has hung-up.

I figure my behaviour is a "public service" in that while the git's waiting for ME to return, he's not bothering YOU (no need to thank me).

Length? It took 24 minutes for one git to get the message (yes - I time them, it amuses me).
(minimalist ..., Fri 4 Sep 2009, 17:09, 3 replies)

idiot
you realise a polite no is accepted, and acting like a prick means your number is circulated for general abuse. Which you deserve for wasting the time of someone just trying to feed their kids? Prick.
( disasterprone "Pyjamas caused the Holocaust", Fri 4 Sep 2009, 17:28, closed)

As a survey monkey
I quite like receiving this treatment. I can sit and read my book for as long as I like.
(w0rmwood pearl, Fri 4 Sep 2009, 19:51, closed)

You'd be doing yourself more of a favour by telling the call centre that you are signed up, otherwise you'll probably just be marked down for a callback.

Without these companies having the TPS rammed down their throat by people who are signed up to it, it defeats the point of it's existence.
(Pope Jamiroquai III, Fri 4 Sep 2009, 19:56, closed)