Just a few days ago I had someone from Cox call me up out of the blue to ask me how I liked their service and to tell me about some of their other services. But first they wanted to verify they were speaking to the correct person.

I refused, told the woman flat out she called me, I didn't call her, therefore she was getting no information from me. I also told her I was happy with my Cox account and had no interest in whatever it was she was trying to sell. To her credit, she thanked me and ended the call amicably which is exactly what should have happened imo.

I understand the need for it from the company's perspective, but for me it was strange, uncommon, and I'm just too damned cynical. Even if I were interested I would have insisted on calling back through Cox's number before speaking with someone.

There was a time when it was relatively safe to speak with someone who calls you like that, but it's been years since I've felt comfortable doing so.