Message #236

[fireproof]

I used to work with a bunch of guys so heavy breathers and their ilk were easy - I'd just give the boys the high sign and transfer the call.  They'd answer "Hell's Angels Clubhouse," or something equally outragious.  



Another time another lady in the office got a heavy breather - which she announced with apparent delight!  Everyone in the office immediately and loudly (so he could hear) started saying things like "really, put him on loudspeaker so I can hear," "We haven't had one of those in such a long time,"  "transfer him to me!"  The purpose was to let him know that that the lady he was calling was not alone and was not frightened (in fact, he had become a source of amusement).



The only call I remember receiving at home was some immature, squeeky voiced adolescent.  I was so incensed I snarled "Oh GROW UP!."  That was that.



Another thought - there are some tele-marketers who have computers dial 1000s of numbers to see if they get a live hit.  If they do, the computer gives that number to a salesperson, who calls back 15-20 minutes later.  Nasty business, but it's possibly not even a real live person pestering you.



As for your problem; can you recruit a male coworker to answer the phones for about 15 minutes when the strange calls are coming in?  This might be enough to discourage the twisted little twerp.