BERNERS GIVE ME YOUR STRENGTH! I got my first caller! They're PRO BERNIE!!!

[merrily]

83. I know I can be hardnosed, but someone saying that to me gives me a hint about how to get rid of the

call. "Yes, sadly you are. Bye." And it's very often true that they are interrupting. Maybe not something urgent, but something I need or want to do. I don't know anyone who just sits doing nothing, waiting for the phone to ring.

For me, this would be cold call gold: "I'm calling to see if I can give you information about outstanding Democratic Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders that would help you make an informed decision when you vote in the primary. His campaign is funded only by people like you, not big business or billionaires If this is not a good time, I can call back."

Off the bat, you've told me the purpose of your call, offered me something I might feel silly turning down, given me a tantalizing nugget and shown you respect my time and schedule.

As I said, I'm a lifelong city persona and have also worked in high pressure jobs. Someone else may well welcome a chattier, more familiar approach.