Tiresome new cold-call opener by agents

[cybersquatter]

*ring ring*
CS: "Hello?"
Agent: "Hi, is that cybersquatter?"
CS: "Yes?"
Agent: "Hi, it's [Karl/Ricky/Jamie] from XYZ Recruitment Solutions, how are you doing?"

How am I doing? I've never spoken to you in my life.

I assume this is some kind of "disarm" tactic, but I find it very offputting and I don't really know what to say to it except "er, fine, what do you want?"

[NickFitz]

Agent: "Hi, it's Joey from Friends. How you doing?"

FTFY.

[MarillionFan]

*ring ring*
CS: "Hello?"
Agent: "Hi, is that cybersquatter?"
CS: "Yes?"
Agent: "Hi, it's [Karl/Ricky/Jamie] from XYZ Recruitment Solutions, how are you doing?"

How am I doing? I've never spoken to you in my life.

I assume this is some kind of "disarm" tactic, but I find it very offputting and I don't really know what to say to it except "er, fine, what do you want?"

Jesus. Someone askes you how you're doing as an opener on a phone call and you have no idea what to say???? You're like bloody rainman.

[BrilloPad]

I get the same from my users. Occasionally I tell them how I am. That I am fed up with their stupid, thick quiestions that they could work out and to leave me in peace on the counting thread or I will go out and get a gun and slot them.

They don't ask again.

[NotAllThere]

This isn't new. Have you only just started in the job market?

On the other end of the spectrum, I got a new contact at my agency, who, until she'd met me, insisted on calling me Mr There, instead of the usual NotAll. It's a German thing, apparently.

[doodab]

Cheeky bastards, phoning people up, saying hello. Everyone knows they're wideboys and supposed to say 'aawrite geezer'.

Next thing they'll be trying to find you work.