Another Venting Thread--What Piece of Stupidity Irritated You Today?

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DzyMsLizzyposted 10 years ago
While at a doctor's appointment with my husband, my cell phone rang. This is not a common thing, as I don't have a so-called "smart" phone, and I very, very rarely give out the number. It's for emergencies and keeping in touch while away from home.
I had earlier tried to reach my daughter, to let her know we'd be home later than we planned, and it would have to be after dinner before I could go to her place to help trim kitty claws. However, the connection was not good--I could hear her--she could not hear me.
When it rang a few minutes later, I thought she was trying to call back.

Instead, I heard this bit of stupidity:

"Hello. Your call is very important to us. Please hold for the next available operator."

WTH??? Obviously a recording, and a sales call. I just hung up. But why on earth would you call someone, then tell them that their call is 'very important,' and ask them to wait??

(The phone at that point was put away in its case inside my fanny pack, so it was in no way a "pocket dial" from my end.)

I have no idea what that was about--I was too irritated to 'hang on' and give them a piece of my mind. What morons!
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  gmwilliamsposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  This is a family forum so it is BEST not to say. It is BEST to keep some opinions to myself. Oh, boy the WONDERMENT of SOME people. It really boggles the mind! Boy, oh boy, oh BOY!
  
  Makes one want to really hissssss.
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  Phyllis Doyleposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  Hmmmm ... it must have been really bad, GM.
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  Mary McShaneposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  Today and yesterday's piece of stupidity is that Google will not remove the URL of two websites that copied my work. One because they are in Instanbul and evidently not bound by copyright laws, and the other because they left my name on the article when they stole it, which in Google's book means the site gave me credit as the author.
  
  When I wrote back that it is word for word from my article, they said they left your name on it, so they gave you author credit.
  
  So now it is ok to steal content as long as you leave someone's name it??? That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. Today, yesterday or any day.
  
  I am so crazy about this, I have unpublished my blogs (even though the cache version is still available to steal, it makes me feel better knowing the live site is not available). I am sitting here cooling my heels and hoping my temper cools down before I quit every site I belong to. I can't even think of publishing anything else anywhere else. I'm mad.
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  DzyMsLizzyposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  WOW--that is really horrible! I can't even imagine what kind of dolt thought up that bit of "logic."
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  Suzanne Dayposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  But aren't you giving your content away by unpublishing it when someone has copied it? Keep it up there, I say and write nasty comments on their article (I did) and it makes you feel better. And you can take my little notice about "DO NOT COPY THIS ARTICLE" from the bottom of one of my hubs if you like, it might help.
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  grand old ladyposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  That happened to me once, but the website had the kindness to ask my permission first. The website that included your byline should have given you the same courtesy.
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  Mary McShaneposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  grand old lady - He never asked. In fact, I didn't find it until someone in another forum suggested that my work might have been copied as the reason why traffic slowed down on the hubs. By that time, almost 2 months had passed since the site had copied my work. It never occurred to me to look or check.
  
  Suzanne Day - LOL I thought the same thing, so I did leave a nasty comment on his page, which he moderates for comments. He did not publish it. Unpublishing my blog was a knee jerk reaction because I was so mad that now 3 blog posts were taken as well as two hubs (so far). I can re-enable the blog posts at any time. I just don't think I want to. The other day I was ready to quit HubPages too, but decided to just sit in the time-out corner for a while. I am very disillusioned now that I know nothing will be done about reports made regarding site owners who live in certain countries who get away with copying your work. I have Copyscape logo on every hub and it didn't deter this guy in the least because he copied that too. I think it is open season on HubPages, Other hubbers are finding their stuff stolen too, going by the posts in other forums. I haven't written or published anything since 1/31 on any of the sites I write for. I'll calm down someday, it just won't be any time soon. And, thanks - I will take your notice from your hub and I'll hold on to it for the next hub I publish. Thank you.
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  brakel2posted 10 years agoin reply to this
  Hi Mary - I am sorry you are having this problem. Your writing is fantastic, and you have a support group here. May tomorrow be a better day. Hugs. Audrey
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  Mary McShaneposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  Suzanne, I'm replacing all my copyscapes with your Do Not Copy notice. It looks so much better than the COPYSCAPE DO NOT COPY pix that I had. Thank you.
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  darkprinceofjazzposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  This is truly bizarre, I have never experienced anything like this, getting copied stuff removed from Google has usually been easy. Was this an official notice from Google to you, or a Google help forum post?
  
  I have found that many times those people who answer you in those Pseudo-official web master threads are F O S.
  
  When I pressed the question further, I would get contradictory answers.
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  Mary McShaneposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  darkprinceofjazz - It was in the Google explanation when I clicked on "denied" on the dashboard when I sign in. I tried redoing it this morning - turning in the URL's again in new reports and the message popup on each one said you submitted a report for this URL already, please refer to your dashboard for Google's findings. A few days ago, I searched on WHOIS for the email of the site owner, because the "contact me" button didn't work. I sent him an email telling him "what for" and I got back a message in Turkish. I put it through the translator and basically it said "you can't touch me, I'm in Instanbul." So I'm leaving the one HubPages article he took in place even though the views are at a standstill. I have the Copyscape logo on every hub and even though it is supposed to be a deterrent, it isn't. He copied the Copyscape logo too. I'm too tired to keep watch for who is stealing my stuff especially now that I know nothing will be done about it. This is seriously affecting my writing here, I haven't published anything 5 days which is unusual for me,
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  Phyllis Doyleposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  I had an article stolen. The woman who did that, just copied my article and pasted it on her website. She did not leave my name and copyright notice on it and took credit herself. This is really annoying to read my own article and see her thanking everyone in the comment section for writing such a great article.
  
  The article is a personal experience I had. I wrote about how nice it is to sit on my patio in the very early morning and look east to watch Pleiades (the constellation) appear. It was all about my emotions, thoughts on ancient legends, etc.
  
  If that was not bad enough, I found out that when I tried to comment that it was my article she had stolen, I found that one cannot comment without becoming a member. So, I tried to sign up. A notice said they are not taking new members due to many copyright/plagiarism issues. When I tried to contact the webmaster, another notice said "this site is no longer accepting emails".
  
  I had already unpublished the article when I found it had been stolen. I was going to publish on HP and first did a search with the original URL. I wanted to make sure my former manager/webmaster had removed my article so I could publish it on HP. This is how I found the stolen article.
  
  Since I had unpublished it, I have no proof that I wrote it. So, the point I am trying to make is: Do not unpublish an article unless you make darn sure you will publish it immediately elsewhere.
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  TwerkZerkerposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  Bummer! Sorry to hear about that Phyllis!
  
  I've actually become a bit paranoid--especially after hearing a few others mention plagiarism issues here on HP. I started typing my hubs up in Microsoft Word, saving them, and then copy-pasting them into HP. That way I'll have proof that I wrote them.
  
  I read somewhere that as long as you have a copy somewhere of an original document (or something that's in tangible form), that constitutes proof that you hold the creative rights over the material.
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  wildernessposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  I can't imagine having a copy anywhere would be considered proof of anything - there is no indication of when that copy was made or from where.
  
  Publishing date is your best bet. I've never had google or any host question any of my DMCA's.
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  Suzanne Dayposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  Date and time stamped Word docs are considered original copies that cannot be tampered with. All you have to do is save the Word doc on the day and it saves the date and time of creation.
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  Mary McShaneposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  Even though I keep copies, I am guilty of waiting until I publish it on HP and then I copy paste it to a Word doc. Mostly this is because I write using a Word doc and often the hub goes through several edits/rewrites before I hit the publish button, making my original almost unrecognizable sometimes. lol But I always keep a copy, sometimes it is just after the fact. Thank you to all for your advice.
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  Phyllis Doyleposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  This is good to remember. I do have all my hubs saved in a word doc and on Google docs.
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  Mary McShaneposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  How awful. I can see how frustrating that would be to get a brick wall at every turn. Yes, I will leave the hubs in place. Thank you for very good advice.
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  Phyllis Doyleposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  You are most welcome. I love the way HP gives us an option to unpublish and think about it. The unpublished hub will stay there till I decide what to do about it -- either revise and update, or delete it. If I delete it, I have about 24 hours to get it together to publish on my blog or my personal web site. These options HP gives us is very helpful in protecting our hubs as proof of copyright.
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  Jodahposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  I haven't even checked to see if any of my hubs have been stolen. Maybe I should, especially the 'editors' choice' ones.
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  Marcy Goodfleischposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  Phyllis - I would report it anyway - you held the copyrights to the piece the minute you wrote it. Contact the person who stole it and let her know you copyrighted it. She might unpublish it. Also, if she has other content, check to see if it is stolen - that might get her off the Internet for a while. Someone who steals one piece will steal another.
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  Phyllis Doyleposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  Hi Marcy. I did try to contact the person who stole it, but it is not possible to gain access to the site. I looked her up on facebook and she is there, same picture of her as on the site where my article sits. I sent her a message about my stolen article and said it is copyrighted, but, I never heard from her. I think your are right, I should report it anyway. I did check all her other articles and that was the only one of mine she had stolen. Thanks for the advice, Marcy.
  
  What bothered me the most is that she pretended to be me and have had my very personal experience and inner thoughts. For each comment praising her and for each "thank you" she gave just burned me deeper and deeper. I rather feel sorry for people like that.
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  WiccanSageposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  You need to send google a copy of copyright laws, lol. That's not how Fair Use works. So sorry to hear this.
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  Jamesm1968posted 10 years agoin reply to this
  The fact that the person who stole the article is in Turkey does not make him 'beyond reach'. Try Googling 'Turkish Copyright Laws' to see if anything exists that can be used against him.
  
  Also, what company is his domain registered with?. Chances are it will be one of the big boys. If it is, send them a carefully worded email asking them to take down the offending site.
  
  As for taking-down your HP (or blog) posts, I would leave them up as this will give proof absolute of who posted the original and more importantly, when.
  
  I was going to suggest googling 'instigating a DNS attack', but thought better of it.
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  Mary McShaneposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  The domain registrar is IHS TELEKOM INC. The registrar's contact email bounces back to me as undeliverable.
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  wildernessposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  I get those periodically and my response is always the same as yours. The "end" button.
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  Ann1Az2posted 10 years agoin reply to this
  I got woke up this morning by someone calling me (obviously a bill collector - sorry, but I do get those from time to time) and wanting me to verify my address and phone number. I told them, you called me remember? It was their turn to hang up.
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  TwerkZerkerposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  My venting moment was earlier this afternoon. I gave blood at about lunchtime, ate, and felt pretty good. About two hours later, I got up to go get some more snacks from the basement of my college's commons area (bad idea). I still felt fine, but of course, just before I got to the stairs I saw stars, passed out, dropped everything, and went down like a brick.
  
  On top of the embarrassment of my very public wipe-out, NOBODY EVEN BOTHERED TO ASK IF I WAS OKAY.
  
  Grr... I feel like it's safe to say that if I'd been having a heart attack, I'd have been long dead before anyone would've had the wherewithal to wonder why I was unconscious on the ground with my stuff spilled everywhere...
  
  Some people's children... One guy finally did come up and ask if I was okay--y'know, as I'm staggering to right myself, can't really see, and am barely making it to the stairs. Faith in mankind somewhat restored...?
  
  I'm sure I'll be laughing about this tomorrow...
  
  Interesting thread! I needed this!
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  WiccanSageposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  OMG twerk, I hope you're okay! Have you ever had episodes like that before? How frightening!
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  TwerkZerkerposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  LOL, well thank goodness the fainting-feelings sort of went away a couple of hours later. For some reason, I guess I'm just weird. This was my first time giving blood, and I was told most people feel faint while donating or just after...and there I was blacking out almost two hours later!
  
  Feeling totally better now, though, thanks! I'm not gonna let it stop me from donating again in April!
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  bipolartistposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  Today's stupidity, for me, is the ridiculousness on the Coca Cola Facebook fan page. The bigoted yahoos that have attacked it all day make me really empathize with the other countries who call this country "arrogant."
  
  I wrote a hub about it, so I am a bit better. <3
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  Phyllis Doyleposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  I recently wrote a hub about de cluttering the home. I was doing so good on going through all my stuff and tossing out or donating things I no longer had use for.
  
  My neighbor has a friend who moved to another state and asked my neighbor to come over and take anything she wanted, even furniture, because it was all going to be left behind.
  
  This morning my neighbor and I went through all the stuff and I took so much of it thinking I "might use it for something." Good grief -- I just took in more than what I got rid of. Stupidity in full bloom here.
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  donotfearposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  Way to go! I was just waiting for a cool thread like this!
  
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  Jodahposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  haha...love that pic
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  Jodahposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  How crazy MsLizzy. I have had calls like that too. Just a funny thing about language differences between our countries: You said your" phone was safely away...inside your fanny pack". Because 'fanny' has a totally different connotation here in Australia, we call them "bum bags".
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  Phyllis Doyleposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  OMGosh, Jodah. This reminds me of a discussion in another forum on another site. A lady started a thread on 'bums', meaning homeless people who are always begging for something. One of our friends in Whales commented the same way you did about language differences. He said, "Over here a bum is something we sit on." I laughed so hard about that.
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  Phyllis Doyleposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  Oh ! Jodah, What does "fanny" mean in Australia ?
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  Jodahposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  Do you really want to know? lol....well you asked for it......"It is a part of the lower female anatomy.....
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  Beth37posted 10 years agoin reply to this
  The ankles.
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  Jodahposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  haha Beth, nope, males have them too.
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  Beth37posted 10 years agoin reply to this
  Of course, most everyone has ankles, or their feet wouldn't bend.
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  Jodahposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  and their legs would fray at the end.
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  Beth37posted 10 years agoin reply to this
  Why?
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  Jodahposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  Because they don't have hems...lol
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  Beth37posted 10 years agoin reply to this
  Crazy talk.
  
  She said she loved hem, but is seamed like she was just trying to patch up a relationship that couldn't be mended. She'd lost her dignity, there wasn't a thread left, and as she got mad, her true collars began to show. It was too late though, he told her to zip it. He said he didn't cotton to her anymore and if she didn't button it up, he was gonna snap. Sew she stopped pressing him, she cried and let off some steam, but in the end, she was better off without hem.
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  Jodahposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  lol...love t Beth, good old spell checker and sewing jargon.
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  Phyllis Doyleposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  You two are silly fun !
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  Beth37posted 10 years agoin reply to this
  We should all just go to bed. lol
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  Phyllis Doyleposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  NOT going there .... I somehow knew I should not ask.
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  Jodahposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  haha Phyllis, although we have a lot of similarities some of the differences in word meanings are hilarious and could get us in some trouble in each other's country if we aren't aware.
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  Phyllis Doyleposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  Uh oh !!!
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  DzyMsLizzyposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  Hmm..interesting. That's funny, Jodah!
  Well, here in the US, a 'fanny pack' is a small pouch with an attached belt that is worn around the waist to hold assorted things and keep your hands free. It can be worn to the front, as I usually do, or, it can be shifted around behind, so that it does rest on your "fanny" ... LOL hence the name.
  I use those because I cannot stand purses, and having to keep track of the thing, and always having to hold onto them. I used to carry a purse, but one day, my purse was stolen, because I had stupidly set it down, and forgot about it... DUH!! Ever since, I have used 'fanny packs' and not purses.
  Oh--BTW--we do sometimes call them 'belt pouches.' LOL
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  Jodahposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  That's great MsLizzy. I wish my wife would wear one, she's always putting her purse down, and i have to run back to the last store we went to to see if she left it there. We do have them and I use one if we decide to have a market stall or something and have to exchange money, it makes the job much easier.
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  Marisa Wrightposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  Not sure if you got the point of what Joseph said. Basically, if the pack was worn to the front, then it would be closer to your fanny (in the British or Australian meaning). We'd have to find another name if a man wanted to wear it...
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  kj forceposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  Hey fellow bloggers...in reference to the " fanny pack "..when worn to the back...
  " pouch pack " when worn in the front...worn on the side " hip pack "...just a thought.
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  Marisa Wrightposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  Yes, but in Australia and Britain, a woman's fanny is definitely not on her back...
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  Jodahposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  yep, that's why we call them 'bum bags' when worn at the back.
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  DzyMsLizzyposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  I see...well, here in the US, we have much less..uh..."polite" terms (basically against TOS--so I cannot say) for the front of the lower female anatomy, and it isn't "fanny." Here, "fanny" = rear end; butt; bum; sit-down or other such terms.
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  Marisa Wrightposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  We have LOTS of other, less polite terms for it too. In fact, fanny is rather old-fashioned and rarely used - but not forgotten!
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  NateB11posted 10 years agoin reply to this
  Learn something new everyday.
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  Jodahposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  Us Aussies get a laugh every time there is 'fanny' mentioned in an American tv show...because of that. Totally different mind picture.
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  NateB11posted 10 years agoin reply to this
  That is funny. I wonder if we have an equivalent of some kind that means something very different, the other way around. Here's another one I learned online awhile back: Pants. In the US it means something else; I think maybe trousers is what is used elsewhere. At least in the UK, not sure about Australia. I just know in the UK someone told me pants were underwear.
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  Jodahposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  no, pants is the same as trousers here too. Girls underwear is often called panties or knickers....men's jocks, trunks or boxers.
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  Jodahposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  But our thongs are what you call 'flip flops'. What you call 'thongs' we call 'g-strings'
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  NateB11posted 10 years agoin reply to this
  That is funny. Actually when I was a kid people were calling flip flops thongs too. At some point most people started calling them flip flops and then the thongs, g-string variety, got popular. I'm assuming the word thong got applied to the g-string because of the similar piece that goes between the toes. Not sure though.
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  kj forceposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  I do have a smart phone...doesn't actually mean it is a candidate for " mensa "
  ( a non-profit organization open to people who score at the 98th percentile of intelligence) Anyway my phone was not ringing , even though I did not turn off the ringer...other problem it was not showing I had voice mail..it had a mind of it's own, so I went to my local phone provider store. After stating my problem, the rep said how often do you charge the phone...I said nightly if it past 50% charge" ...( I never want to be in a predicament where I don't have a fully charged phone)..to which I was told...
  " Oh only charge when it is below 20%"..as your phone won't undertand, it's confused and that's why you are having the problem, then said any other questions ?...
  I said no and walked away, besides it was lunch time and I figured my phone was hungry...stupid is as stupid does...
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  Jodahposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  Haha love it, mine's not that smart either
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  DzyMsLizzyposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  Yeah, that does seem stupid, on the surface. However, rechargeable batteries do develop a "memory," so they do not function as well if they are not allowed to discharge almost completely before being recharged.
  As that continues to happen, the "memory" of the charging time shrinks, as it were, so that in effect, you are killing the battery by charging it if it is not below that 20% mark.
  We don't have smart phones, but we do have a lot of experience with rechargeable batteries, due to my husband's hobby of racing radio control cars with electric motors. .. and sadly, that is how those kinds of batteries do behave. The guys at the race track even had special "discharging" gizmos, to be sure the battery was all the way down, before recharging for the next race.
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  TwerkZerkerposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  LOL! Thanks, Lizzy! I think you just explained why my laptop battery lifetime has gone to pot in the last semester!
  
  *hastily unplugs charger cord*
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  Earl Noah Bernsbyposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  I was annoyed by the backlash over that Coca-Cola Super Bowl ad where people were singing America, the Beautiful in foreign languages. In my opinion, anyone who thinks English should always be the only language spoken here, hasn't really thought it through. Following that logic, we should all have been forced to become conversant in Lakota, Sioux, Cherokee, Apache, etc. in grade school. Language is a living and breathing thing. Dialects come and go, so embrace etymological evolution, man! *dusts off Rosetta Stone Spanish*
  
  ad: http://goo.gl/SdgoEC
  article about backlash on The Huffington Post: http://goo.gl/sME1FJ
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  sheilamyersposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  I've had the same thing happen on both my cell and home phones. I'll get home and the message light will be blinking on my machine and what you said is recorded on the machine. Unfortunately, a lot of telemarketers use computers to initiate the calls. I've never done it, but I bet if you said something while the message is still playing, it would kick it over to a real person.
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  Lybrahposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  I was called a "labia" by some piece of trailer trash. I looked it up; it means "vagina." This lady basically called me a C$%^! Needless to say, it pissed me off.
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  Jodahposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  Ouch, that was nasty.
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  amiebutchkoposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  Well, if we're talking about things that happen to me DAILY that try my last patience... I basically live in New Jersey (neighboring town in NY)... I have a whole bunch of tv-worthy housewives (they are all very good people individually) being BEYOND mean to each other constantly asking me to join them for gatherings. I am just no match. No match for what goes on and how to control or even process it in a civilized manner. Talking about constantly being in the middle of aggression. Pray for me!!!!!!!!! If any of them ever find this post.... look for me with the fishes!
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Nell Roseposted 10 years ago
I just love my neighbor. He gets up at half seven and turns on the stupid drill to do a hole in his wall! half seven!!!! I yelled, oh boy did I yell, gave myself heartburn! stupid silly selfish...b....er....man!
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brakel2posted 10 years ago
I learned that my internet provider has a large ad on home page that they sell and are well aware it is a scammy ad. I was suspicious so ran some searches on Google to find out. After finding the information, I felt like dropping this very popular cable ISP. Grrrrrrrrr.
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  grand old ladyposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  We signed a 2-year contract with Globe for unlimited use on a wifi. However, lately EVERYONE is affected, including neighbors, net cafes, etc. because the terms of the contract changed to just 1 GB a day. This has affected our online work and totally inconvenienced us. They said we have to pay a pretermination rate of 3,000 plus pesos, then we can upgrade. We were told the contract says something like, "unlimited" but with "fair usage" which could mean sharing the available gigabytes equally. so there, I'm venting. We complain to call centers, Globe centers, but can't reach a decision maker on this. It sucks.
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Bob Bambergposted 10 years ago
We're in the middle of a snowstorm right now, but that didn't keep me from going out at 6 AM to get my cup of "the coffee America runs" on and my lottery tickets. (I suppose in some circles that alone qualifies as an annoying piece of stupidity).

In front of the strip mall where these stores are, a TV station was doing a "live shot" beside the road, most likely telling everyone that driving is hazardous, blah, blah, blah, while their bright lights were shining in the eyes of oncoming traffic.

We're New Englanders, for crying out loud...we know what snowstorms look like and how to drive in them. We don't need these idiots doing roadside live shots and further endangering the motoring public. They should stay home and do jello shots like the rest of us
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Silva Hayesposted 10 years ago
Yesterday my husband and I stopped to eat lunch at a nice-looking Mexican food restaurant that we have been curious about for some time. If the food, drink and service turned out to be good, we would have added it to our list of places to frequent and we would have told all our family and friends about it.

The waiter was downright surly and impatient, walking off before we were finished talking, bringing my husband's drink but not mine, and so on, and they weren't even busy, as we arrived there shortly after the lunch rush.

So, annoying! Counter-productive! We won't go back, ever. Vent over. Thank you!
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cfinposted 10 years ago
People paying for the bill when you tell them not to and they are a known ****** who is just doing it to show you up and make you feel bad and awkward. Especially when they do it numerous times in a month to everyone, and everyone is annoyed about it. For example, at a man's birthday party, when their wife says she is getting the tab, don't slyly pick up the tab then boast about it.
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davidlivermoreposted 10 years ago
1st World Problems...
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  cfinposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  Indeedy. Money doesn't fix things. It just changes things.
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Jodahposted 10 years ago
I got a new mobile/cell phone about 12 months ago and the phone number that was assigned obviously had belonged to someone else before. I have had constant phone calls and messages for "Domenic" since I got the phone, and got sick of telling people "i am not Domenic, this is no longer his number". Well in the last two days I have had three missed calls and two messages from a certain number...here is the last message, "Hi Domenic, re your Colorbond Gazebo enquiry. Please call me as I have a couple of questions I need answered so I can do a quote....etc...etc...Kind regards, Chris Tropical Lifestyle."
What is so crazy about this is that 'this guy Domenic" hasn't had this number for over a year, probably two as they have to wait a certain amount of time before they can reissue a number. He is obviously still giving out this as his phone number to people, because this was for a recent quote to get work done. I'm going crazy here.
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1. 68
  galleryofgraceposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  Most phone companies re-use phone numbers after only thirty days!
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  DzyMsLizzyposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  Oh, grrr!! That is SO annoying. We don't have mobile phones, but our house number, we've had for well over 6 years, and we still get oddball phone calls looking for other people... I tell them, "Try updating your database, and remove this number, as it is no longer connected to the person with whom you wish to speak." (Using stiffly proper English seems to intimidate them into compliance. LOL)
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WiccanSageposted 10 years ago
I took a good half day to calm down today, I was livid. My mother called my 15 year old son an 'idiot'.

If anyone's ever read my hub about my childhood, they have an idea of what my mother's like and that it's been a real struggle for me to have patience with her and not abandon her entirely and leave her alone to die (she's 85 and the rest of her family is either dead or has already abandoned her, she has no other children-- thank goodness).

She always had a hard heart to this one particular child-- everyone tells me what a good, polite, helpful kid he is. She's always treated him like demon spawn-- has not ever hugged him like her other grand kids or given him a kind word. Never, even when he was little.

Usually she just criticizes, harshly, which is hard enough to take (even when he deserves the criticism, I feel she makes no effort to have a loving relationship with him she has no right to try and 'correct' him on things when I'm there).

But calling him names, it just really hurt and really crossed the line. It is moments like these I am tempted to cut her out of our lives for good.
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1. 87
  Jodahposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  That's tough Wiccan Sage. I can understand you needing to vent that one.
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2. 63
  TwerkZerkerposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  Sorry to hear, Sage
  
  It's bad enough when strangers act like that, but it's so much harder when it's someone in your own family. Will be thinking of you! Stay strong!
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3. 82
  WiccanSageposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  Thanks so much everyone. Feels good to vent. He's a good kid, biggest problem I have with him is he gets lazy & procrastinates, and hates to clean his room. Little things like that, which you expect with kids. Never been in real trouble, though.
  
  I hate to see him treated like this, especially when she acts like his younger brother is her reason for living and showers him with affection and gifts. I just don't get it.
  
  Thanks so much! I appreciate the good thoughts!
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  Phyllis Doyleposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  I am so sorry to hear this, Sage. My beautiful grandson was treated like that by a close family member and it really hurt us both deeply. I had to keep him away from that person for a long time. I hope things get better for you and your son. No matter how much you love your mother, your son comes first and you need to protect his emotional well being.
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  Bob Bambergposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  Hmmm...lazy, procrastinates, and hates to clean his room...this has sort of a familiar ring to it. We're all lazy, procrastinate and hate to clean our rooms. That's why we get married.
  
  I'm sorry your son had to go through that, Sage, but hopefully he realized that that was just hard-hearted Grandma being hard-hearted Grandma, and wasn't to be taken personally or seriously. If it were uncharacteristic of her to say something like that, it probably would have been a different matter. It's bad enough that you endured a childhood of it without it extending to one of your children, though.
  
  I can't wrap my mind around treating grandchildren differently...probably most people can't...but I've seen it elsewhere, too.
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  DzyMsLizzyposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  Oh, man--that is so difficult. I know I would be livid, and I don't deal with that sort of thing well at all. I don't know what I'd do. I'd be torn between giving her a good dressing-down, and biting my tongue because it was my mother.
  I feel for you, deeply. So sorry you're having to put up with this.
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FatFreddysCatposted 10 years ago
I just had to sit through a 30 minute "webinar" presentation about our company's new phone system.

Let me repeat that:
Thirty minutes...to tell us HOW. TO. USE. A. PHONE.

I swear, I felt like I was trapped in a "Dilbert" comic.
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Gypsy Rose Leeposted 10 years ago
When I really need an answer to an important question. I've sent an email for information to the site in question and I receive stupid automatic computerized answers with links to questions which have nothing to do with the answer I need. At this moment I still need an answer and I'm not getting it. So why have a contact us email if you don't give me the right kind of reply?????
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1. 91
  DzyMsLizzyposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  Oh, I hate that, too! If I had found the answers I was looking for in your stupid "FAQ's," I would not be writing for personal contact! Grrrr!! SO annoying.
  Try looking up the website on the 'whois (dot com)' lookup, and there you can find the names of the people behind the site, as well as physical address and phone numbers.
  On the front page of the site, go to the "Domains" tab, then click on the last item to the bottom right, "Who Is Lookup" and then enter the URL of the site in question.
  Every website is legally required to be registered, and this is how you find out who is responsible. Then, you can telephone them and give them 'what for.' ;-)
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DzyMsLizzyposted 10 years ago
Just exactly HOW stupid is it, when you invent a mailing envelope that requires directions for 'how to open' to be printed on the envelope???!!!

An envelope is just an envelope--if you need special instructions for opening--then wow--you had to work really hard to make things that complicated!!
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  Suzanne Dayposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  Obviously the person who designed it was having a really REALLY bad day. Or they were out of it on envelope glue.
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  Jodahposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  I can understand that if it's a reusable envelope, otherwise not
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  DzyMsLizzyposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  No, these are mostly either stupid ads, or "privacy" envelopes. And "privacy" envelopes do come in normal envelope style, so that's no excuse, IMO
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Shyron E Shenkoposted 10 years ago
I had a 'real live person' call, and it went something like this. The man calls and said, this is So&So with ___ ___ Company and we are going to have someone in your neighborhood installing siding and would like to stop and give you an estimate. Usually Hubby likes to talk to these people (he has such fun.) but he was not around and I was irritated that this person was interupting something important.
I said 'no thank you.' But mam, it won't take much of you time. Again I said 'NO.'
But you house needs it! What? Then softly almost whispering I asked, 'now why would I want to put siding over my brick?' And he hung up.
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1. 91
  DzyMsLizzyposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  You are nicer than I would be. LOL I usually say something more along the lines of, "What part of "NO" or "NOT INTERESTED" did you fail to understand?" Then I hang up..before they have a chance to say anything more.
  We also have our number listed on the national "Do Not Call" registry...so I also tell them that...and if they ever call back again, I remind them that they have called before, and that we are on the list, and that I am reporting them for violation--a $50 per call fine... Then I hang up.
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  Suzanne Dayposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  I usually just say that if I want you, I will call you. Don't call me I'll call you. Then I hang up.
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Derek James3rd1posted 10 years ago
nice complaint it is irritating
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Beth37posted 10 years ago
If you had an irritating day, this should make you feel better.
http://www.buzzfeed.com/awesomer/reason … unk-adults
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  Jodahposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  They were hilarious Beth. If you want another laugh for the day, check this out: http://donttazemebro.hubpages.com/
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  Beth37posted 10 years agoin reply to this
  hahaha
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  NateB11posted 10 years agoin reply to this
  2, 9, 18, 21, 23 and 25 had me laughing hard.
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  Beth37posted 10 years agoin reply to this
  4, 8, 16, 18, 21, 23 and 25 for me.
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  DzyMsLizzyposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  ROFL! My youngest one time "disappeared" and turned up asleep in bed--in the middle of her own birthday party!
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  Beth37posted 10 years agoin reply to this
  lol. What a bummer to sleep during your own party.
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Siren3215posted 10 years ago
I have had that happen to me over my land-lne phone too. It's very irritating as I keep my phone numbers provate as well
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  Jean Bakulaposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  Hi DzyMsLizzy,
  I get those calls too, as I had a situation going on with some creditors a while back. I don't get it either, since I'm ignoring them, why would I call them back, to hear some awful music and that "my call is very important to them." They also call very early in the morning, and don't leave a message. I really don't like people that call early, I'm not a morning person.
  
  I don't give out my cell phone number much either, unless it's family or a good friend. I've considered changing my unlisted phone number on the house phone, but have a bipolar, drug addicted brother, and it's the only number he can remember if he needs me. It's amazing how many people have that number, but I believe companies like that use automatic dialers.
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  DzyMsLizzyposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  They do use auto-dialers, but they are still supposed to have their computer check against the 'do not call' list. If they call anyway, they are subject to a fine of $50 per call per number...unless it's gone up since I first learned that.
  Before that, though, many, many moons ago, before I met my current husband, I got such a call, and we had an unlisted number. I asked, "how did you get this number?" Response? "We are calling from a computer-generated list of all possible numbers in the area."
  So much for being 'unlisted' and privacy from annoying sales calls. I think it was shortly after that, that the 'do not call list' came into being.
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Marisa Wrightposted 10 years ago
On the subject of annoying calls from call centres:

I was talking to someone who has worked in several call centres. She said that their instructions are to keep pushing unless someone specifically says the words "not interested". Then, and only then, do you get taken off the list of people to call again.

Their calls get recorded and they're in trouble if the supervisor listens and finds they didn't follow instructions - that 's why they keep going. She says most of them are praying you'll say "not interested" because they know they're not going to make a sale and they're desperate to get on to the next call.

I don't know if that works anywhere else but Australia, but most of the centres here are based on US principles so it's worth a try?
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1. 87
  Jodahposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  ok thanks, I'll try that. They usually have a rehearsed spiel and and babble on with hardly letting you get a word in. A soon as I hear the foreign accent I know I am not interested, but I usually wait for them to finish, before I say 'not interested'. Maybe I should be kind to them and say it immediately they begin speaking.
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  wildernessposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  Why? Just hang up.
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  Marisa Wrightposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  My call centre contact said that if you hang up, you stay on the list to be called again. If you say "not interested", you get taken off the list. It has to be "not interested", not any other combination of negative words. I interrupt them, though!
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  Beth37posted 10 years agoin reply to this
  Say, "Put me on your do not call list."
  Also, go to this site.
  https://www.donotcall.gov
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  Jodahposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  Because I was begged by one to let her give her spiel even if I didn't buy because she got paid if they could get through the whole sales pitch without you hanging up. They are just trying to make a living too and I felt sorry for her. I'm a softy like that, but I won't buy anything solicited by phone.
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  0
  Beth37posted 10 years agoin reply to this
  She played you like a fiddle. lol
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Beth37posted 10 years ago
This thread took a turn.
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IzzyMposted 10 years ago
I wasn't irritated, thankfully, but today I sprayed my under-arms with furniture polish instead of deodorant.

That's a piece of stupidity if nothing else
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  DzyMsLizzyposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  Ohmigosh.. ROFLMAO!! And I thought that my years-ago acquaintance who mistook her deodorant for hairspray was bad... ... ... LOL
  (Did you shine up nicely?? )
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  Jodahposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  You aren't a wooden Indian by any chance Izzy are you...haha?
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  Jean Bakulaposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  Hi Marisa,
  I've said worse things to creditors than "not interested" but it's worth a try. They call all day until 9 PM. I'm working with a debt management company, but now I'm sorry. Whatever they negotiate the money owed down to, I have to claim as income. My taxes are going to be a mess now. I may just pay the rest of the stuff I have in the program.
  
  I worked for a collection agency for a few months once. They don't tell you how competitive it is when you get the job, they say you just need to call a certain list of numbers. Many of the issues are that people bought things that broke or didn't work, and got mad and didn't pay after a long time trying to work it out. Most people are told to ignore the calls and let the debt management company deal with everything. I'm just going through a lot now, and every time I get to sleep, the phone rings. There's no way to turn it off or lower the ring. I guess I should get another phone, but I'm so busy working on my husband's final affairs.
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  59
  paradigmsearchposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  Unless it is a really, really, really old phone installation; you can unplug it at the wall without tools.
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  DzyMsLizzyposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  Or, there's always wire cutters...
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  Shyron E Shenkoposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  If it is connected to an answering machine, you can let it go there, then if the call is important you can pick up. and answer in the middle.
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  DzyMsLizzyposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  It depends on the service. If you have an old-style physical answering machine in the home, yes, Shyron, you are correct.
  However, if you are using an answering "machine" operated by your phone service provider, then it is more like an off-site answering service. Once it's picked up there, you can no longer answer the call or pick up in the middle of the message, because you won't be hearing it.
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  85
  Marisa Wrightposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  I think MsLizzy was talking about callers trying to sell you stuff. They're the ones that you can put off with "not interested". It doesn't work for creditors!
  
  Can you unplug the phone? Look under the base and see if there's a plug you can detach. Or, how is it attached at the wall?
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  91
  DzyMsLizzyposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  Correct, Marisa--I was thinking of sales calls.
  
  For creditors, you have to send a written notice that you do not wish to be contacted by any means. Legally, they must comply with such a request.
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  Writer Foxposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  Here's how you can stop them from calling you:
  https://www.communitylegalaid.org/libra … ctices-Act
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  Jean Bakulaposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  I can unplug it from the wall, but then I would be missing important calls. I'm working with 3 insurance policies and someone else with my late husband's 401k, and my family doctor left his practice in December, so I am being sent to a battery of new doctors to go on permanent disability. Also to get pain medication I've been on for a long time, one of the few that help me. Apparently this new doctor is an alarmist, he wanted my son to get an endoscopy for heartburn. So I can unplug it for a few hours, but I'm afraid I'd miss people I need to speak to who are hard to get ahold of.
  
  The collection agencies were an old problem that should have been resolved by now. But thanks, I'm afraid if I unplug it, I'll smash it to bits right now.
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  Jean Bakulaposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  Thanks for the link Writer Fox. They are harassing me, they start calling at 8AM up to 9PM, and some days it's once an hour or so.
  reply report
  39
  Writer Foxposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  Just write a letter and they have to stop or you can sue them! You shouldn't have to deal with their phone calls now and I'm so sorry about the recent loss of your husband.
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  85
  Marisa Wrightposted 10 years agoin reply to this
  I was just thinking if you unplug it in the evening and don't plug it in until after breakfast, you wouldn't miss too many calls but you'd give yourself a bit of a break.
  
  Sounds like it would be worth making that written notification to creditors a priority.
  reply report

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