Never Say You are Nothing

Today I received a call from a number I have never seen before. It was a 669 area code, not from NY where I live and work so I figured it had to be someone calling to sell me something. I have been getting quite a few of these calls lately, despite having my cell number on "Do Not Call" list. 

I don't know if it was my exhaustion from working out and cleaning all day or something else but I decided to answer it. 

There was a man on the other end of the phone with a thick Indian accent who sounded like he was standing in Times Square. After exchanging opening niceties, he started yelling his pitch over the city-like background noise. 

"I am calling today to talk to you about new siding for your house. Are you the homeowner?" 

I angrily replied... "I am no one. I own no home to put sidding on. I am a renter I can't help you." (Yes I know, not my finest moment) i fully expected him to hang up on me at this point and move on to his next cold call in the hopes of making a sale somewhere but I am happy to say that was not the case. 

The man on the other end of the phone got very upset. "Excuse me ma'am," he said. "Don't you ever say you are no one! You are the most important of all because you are a human being!" 

I was shocked and frankly a little mortified. I was talking to another human being. A person who was just doing the best he could to earn an income. In the 2 minute conversation we had just had, he had successfully changed me. 

He went on to reiterate that I should never speak about myself in the aforementioned way and said "God Bless you and have an amazing weekend." He then hung up. 

I got to thinking about relationships.... With friends, family, significant others and most importantly people we don't know who we encounter briefly for moments at a time as we fly through life. I have always believed people come into our lives for a reason. Sometimes we only have a phone call to make an impression, to share or experience the reason. Take advantage. Be nice to people. Understand that the telemarketer who is calling didn't set out to piss you off he is just doing his job. Trying to earn a living. Change his day by not being nasty and be the pleasant surprise he didn't expect when he picked up the phone to cold call you. Because he is the most important. He is a human being!