Anonymous callers

November 2, 2021

What?!

Since a few years now, I receive regular calls from 'Microsoft'. To be more correct: calls from a bunch of nitwits claiming that they are Microsoft. I've tried everything: from playing the dumb-ass that has no computer, over being the reasonable guy explaining them that I don't run that terrible OS on my computer, to even shouting at them, which - I admit - is not very polite, especially over the phone. It even raised my wife's eyebrows, as she's not used to seeing me angry on the phone.

Reflection

The bottom line is: I'm fed up with running to catch an incoming call to find out that it is 'Microsoft calling, sir, concerning a problem with your computer'.

If they would call using a listed number, I could block it. However, of course, they don't. Therefore I instructed my provider to block all incoming anonymous callers.

Will I miss a lot of important calls having done this? I don't think so. I cannot imagine I want to talk to someone that is not willing to show me what number they are calling from. This should be just standard politeness, no? If you start talking to me, I deserve the right to know who you truly are. In addition, if you don't want to reveal your identity to me, I deserve the right to decide to never speak to you again.

Conclusion

And that's what I've decided, mister anonymous, to never speak to you again. I will enjoy the silence and you will save a lot of unnecessary calling costs. We're both happy, probably me being a little happier than you.