I’ve only been back in India one day and already I’m being stalked by someone from a call centre. There are no less than five missed calls on my phone. This doesn’t take into account the calls that I actually answered.
It all started innocently enough when I answered the phone. Immediately, was assailed by a barrage of Hindi. Not understanding much of what was being said, I asked the person to “English me bolo” (speak in English). He, however, refused and insisted on speaking in Hindi. Enthusiastically, he then proceeded to launch back into his dialogue in Hindi. He kept mentioning something to do with “insurance” and “tax servicing”. (The only English words that were forthcoming).
I told him (in Hindi) that I didn’t fully understand Hindi, and I certainly didn’t understand him. End of conversation, I thought. But no, he again phoned me back. Many times. In Hindi.
“What?!”, I started to get really irritated. “Are you not understanding me, madam?” Incredible. He finally spoke in English. “No, I’m not understanding you! Goodbye”.
Then he called me back again — and again.
“Kyaa baat hai? Bas hogaya! Nahin chahiye!”, I yelled at him. (“What is this matter? Enough! Not needed!). And I hung up on him again.
I thought that would be the end of him. Indeed it was, for around half an hour. Then he called again. I hung up. He called again. Finally, my husband came home. When he called yet again, I got my husband to speak to him.
Apparently, his excuse for calling me was, “madam wasn’t speaking in Hindi so I was trying to get her to understand”. Sure. If that was the case, why did he phone back YET AGAIN later in the evening?. Needless to say, my husband was less than polite to him!
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Don’t know how I got to this post while browing through your blog. I have Airtel mobile where I live. Here we have a feature for Rs. 30 per month that lets me block certain phone numbers to call me. Unlimited numbers allowed. Try and see if your service provider in Mumbai has the feature too.
If I get a call from a number that I wouldn’t want in the future, I just press *323*9# and that blocks the last caller. Simple. I must have blocked hundreds of marketing calls by now. Really useful and very economical at Rs. 30 per month too.
I like that idea! I’m with Vodafone though. Will definitely check it out (and I’d particularly like to block their annoying recorded message calls).