The Sound Of “Glip”

Telemarketing is defined as contacting, qualifying, and canvassing prospective customers using telecommunications devices such as telephone, fax, and internet.

A customary sound that one hears when answering some of the telemarketing calls is “glip.” It could be a sound that is telling the caller that you’re next in line to talk to … or it could be a new way of obtaining information. That’s a definite clue that someone is on the other end of the line that you didn’t expect to be calling. When I hear a ‘glip; I hang us immediately.

The strangest telemarketing call that came across my line was at 4:15 a.m. When a call wakes you up that early, you answer with dread that someone you know is hurt. So you jump out of bed and answer only to find that it is a telemarketing call from a health service company. Surely that kind of call must have come from a different time zone.

The messages from people I know versus someone calling who wants to sell or convince me of something number about one in ten.
I have a fax on my phone and it regularly prints out all calls received. I have about 20 sheets of calls and if I ever find the time, maybe I will check them out.

Another thing that is happening with regularity is the receipt of mail that isn’t a bill, a birthday card, or a message from a friend. Most now goes in the garbage can.

Then there are the television shows sharing 50 percent of their time with commercials. I counted 15 commercials at one interval during a show I wanted to watch.

Sure, I know all of these things must be necessary. I just have memories of another time.

Now we hear that Facebook is not the place to be. It is so cute when you see your face along with someone else and a message telling you how long you have been friends on facebook. Sometimes it is a friend, sometimes not so much.

Some areas have implemented Do Not Call lists through legislation; telemarketers are restricted from initiating contact with consumers.
Remember the early telephones? We knew we could call Aunt Minnie in Bluefield but it would be expensive. In order to not spend too much time or money on the call, we would make a brief note of what to say with no time spent on small talk.

Remember, if you break an ankle racing to answer the telephone, you’re the one who pays the medical bill. Take your time getting there.
Kitty Maiden is a staff writer for Seniors Today.