Oh woe. I just created a culinary disaster. I tried boiling some sausages using the microwave oven instead of grilling them over a shallow pan; which I usually do. The franks turned out crappy, tasting like partially soggy paper pulp... bleh. Yeah, it was irritating to waste several perfectly good franks due to my 'stroke of genius'.

But nothing could be more irritating then a phone called I received a few days back. Telemarketing could be a good thing if done properly. A courteous voice coupled with someone who knows what he/she's talking about will definitely grab my attention. I have entertained a few such calls and even accepted several promotions, due to the politeness and savviness of these telemarketers.

However, the phone call I mentioned earlier was a whole new ball game. Apparently, banks nowadays prefer to hire green horn telemarketers who doesn't give a hoot bout the customer and would do anything to badger the customer into saying ok. Here's basically how the conversation went; you tell me if I should feel irked by such a phone call. Names changed to protect the identity of the moron and myself :

**Phone rings**

Me : Hello?

Miss D : Is this Mr. C? This is Miss D calling from Citibank. Can I take a few minutes of your time? **thick Ah Lian accent and speaking at bullet-like speed**

Me : Ok. Sure. What's this about?

Miss D : Well, Mr. C, Citibank is offering you an special protection coverage for your credit card which is a wonderful deal; all you need to do is say yes and I will enrol you for a free one month trial **still speaking freakin fast**

Me : Whoa. Slow down here. What is this insurance thingy again? Care to explain in detail how the scheme works?

Miss D : Basically, for your monthly credit card statement, you pay a small percentage out of the total amount for a so-call insurance, which ensures that if anything happen to you, your bills will be covered. Isn't this great? So shall I sign you up? **pushy... pushy...**

Me : Miss D, thanks for the offer but I think I'll pass.

Miss D : Mr. C **voice a little stern-er**, this is a one time offer for you and I really think you're letting a really good opportunity slip past your hands. I have your details in front of me right now, you just need to say yes.

Me : Miss D **starting to feel irritated**, thanks for explaining the thingy for me, but I think my spending patterns does not justify the additional cost I will need to pay each month. I'm not exactly a big spender.

Miss D : But there is a free 1 month no obligation trial for you to try out! If you think you don't like it, you just need to call us and we will terminate the thing **voice getting pitchy**

Me : It's kinda a hassle so thanks anyway.

Miss D : So shall I sign you up now?

Me : Miss D, I just said I wasn't interested.

Miss D : You're passing a good opportunity here Mr. C. You need to tell me why you're not interested **demanding voice**

Me : Whaaa??? I need to have a reason to decline? What type of policy is this? Really Miss D, thanks for the offer, but no thanks.

Miss D : You got to give me a reason why you do not want to sign up Mr. C.

Me : Miss D, if you paid attention to what I mentioned earlier, I already said my spending patterns does not justify the additional cost this thingy will require me to pay.

Miss D : But it's free! **shrilly voice**

Me : I do not want to sign up for something then terminate later on. It's a hassle for both my and your side. So thanks again.

Miss D : I don't understand why you're declining a free offer. You will have to give me a reason why you don't want this offer **bitch mode...**

Me : **fucking irritated at this point** Since when does the customer have to explain himself when he rejects an offer?

Miss D : I need a reason Mr. C. Let me just sign you up ok?

Me : Look here Miss D, I-AM-NOT-INTERESTED-IN-THIS-OFFER-CITIBANK-IS-PROMOTING. AND I DO NOT NEED TO GIVE YOU ANY BLOODY REASON WHATSOEVER AS I AM THE CUSTOMER. SO DON'T WASTE MY TIME. (I actually wanted to shout KAANEEHMAHCHAOCIBAIGUAEMMCHAILUKONGHAMIKLANCHIAOLUSISIAOCHARBOH, but I guess she got the message...)

Miss D : Fine.

**phone goes dead immediately**

Some morons just don't understand the concept of telemarketing. Harassing the customer is a big no-no. I'm tempted to terminate my stupid credit card after this damn fiasco.

Idiot.