A telemarketer called today. We had this idiotic conversation:

Rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrring

Me: Hello?
Telemarketer: ....
Me: HELLO?!
Telemarketer: Hello, I'm calling from Earthlink and blah blah blah

At this point I set the phone down on the table for about a minute. When I picked it back up there was silence. This was foreshadowing of our upcoming conversation.

Me: Pardon? What was the question?
TM: Earthlink blah blah blah. So, our DSL package is only $20 a month.
Me: ....
TM: ....
Me: Do you have a question for me?
TM: Sir, our DSL package is no more than you're paying for dial-up.
Me: That's not a question.
TM: ....
Me: ....
TM: ....
Me: So, are you going to ask me anything?
TM: Sir, I've explained our DSL offering.
Me: Yes, but, this is where you're supposed to ask me things.
TM: ....
Me: Look, I don't mean to be rude, but let me explain how this works. Telemarketers, that's you, are supposed to go through their speech and then end it with some question like, "Would you like to sign up for DSL?" or "Are you interested in high-speed Internet access?" or even "How does that sound?". That's what makes this conversation continue. So, do you have a question for me?
TM: ....
Me: ....
TM: How does that sound, sir?
Me: No thank you!
TM: Thanks for your time today, sir. If you have any questions about Earthlink blah blah blah.

And that's how I saved the telemarketing industry. Normally I don't like to support these folks, but it seemed like this guy needed some tutoring.