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Telephone calls are really difficult for those of us in a country where we are speaking our second or third language and not our own. Plus, there is apparently no "do not call" list here in France - and even if there were, we can't really put our business number on a do not call list...
We get fairly frequent calls from investment companies pushing their latest tax-saving schemes to small business owners. Usually their pitch includes some kind of question about "wouldn't you like to cut your taxes?" To which I respond, "we don't pay income taxes anyhow - hard to reduce them much past zero."
Then there are the fast talkers and the mumblers. I'm fearless about telling them that I didn't understand a word of their pitch and that they're going to have to slow down and speak more clearly. They usually rattle through the same pitch at the same rate so then I tell them I still can't understand a word they're saying and I thank them for their call and hang up.
But my favorite is when the folks call to pitch their collection services for our business. I listen to their pitch and then ask them "do you break knees?" They normally act confused, so I explain, "the only customers who are slow paying are those who will only respond if someone goes over there and threatens to break their knees. Now, if you break knees, we might have some business for you." Often they hang up at that point. (Obviously collection agents in France are not often referred to as "knee breakers" but it was a common term of "affection" back in the States when I was working there...)
For the contest ones, "wouldn't you like to win a weekend in Toulouse?" I usually respond, "no, not really." That always seem to throw them - guess the French aren't really into playing with the telemarketers like I am. Ah, my "contribution" to French culture!
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