I find the best way to avoid unwanted conversations on the telephone is to pretend that my ‘parents’ are not home. As well as this tactic works at age 24 I plan to continue using until I’m 40.

me: Hello?

caller: Hi, this is Margaret from the Kidney Foundation.

me: ahh, hello.

caller: Sir we are calling today to see if you have anything you would like to donate to the Kidney Foundation.

me: ahh, my parents are home right now…

caller: …ok. When do you expect them to return.

me: They’re out of town for the week.

caller: I’ll try back another time.

me: [click, sound of phone hanging up]. Victory!