Did You Feel Embarrassed To Ask For Males To Take A Survey?

by Rob

When Dan gave us the option of either doing the polls ourselves or hire a guy to have a computer do it, I felt it would be cheaper (nothing if I remember correctly) and a better experience for us to do it by ourselves. I got to admit when I came in on that first Friday, I felt nervous that I found myself doing one number every five minutes.

When ever a telemarketer or a poll person called, my parents would say, “No and don’t call back here again.” Then they turned to me and said, “They just want to sell stuff.” Then I realized I was in their position and now I figured out what it was like to be politely refused, hung up on, hearing I don’t want nothing from Ball State in the background, or to call back later and then the answering machine comes up.

Recently I got two surveys in my email, one for a blood drive and another for something else. I usually delete them, but this time I just couldn’t. They needed to know something and I must help them. So I answered their questions and submitted them.

When I completed a survey with someone, it was a wonderful feeling that you can just jump up and down with success. Sometimes in order to get through a folder, I would reward myself with a five minute break in the break room in order to keep going.

I won’t forget the last few days of doing the survey. I came in and Rachel said we were only polling males. MALES! How the hell do you ask the person on the other end to get a male to do it especially if there isn’t one there!

So next time a telemarketer calls or survey person calls, ask what it is for and if you don’t want to do it, politely tell them no thank you and then hang up. Don’t hang up or say call back later and not answer.

Now if you excuse me, I am now going to listen to the Very Best of Jethro Tull cd. Why am I in the mood for bagels and soft drinks? Why do I have the urge not to pick up my phone anymore?

Remarks - Rachel's Sh'peel

by Alex and Zach

Rachel is a junior political science from Kings Island, Ohio. It is not actually Kings Island, but she lives right by it. She is in charge of Students for Obama here at Ball State. In her free-time, she admires Barack Obama. Moreover, she is currently going to see Barack give a speech in Ohio. Enjoy!

Update: She meet Barack at Wright State yesterday. She was shaking she was so excited!