You want to be fully assimilated? Learn how to handle spammers

When I first came to the US, I used to spend hours on the phone with potential scammers because I thought it was rude to hang up on people.

I would listen to them telling me how I won a cruise to the Bahamas, how my car warranty has expired, and how my Google business listing is not showing up correctly. I would just listen quietly and answer their questions because I didn’t want to hurt their feelings, you know, it’s rude to hang up on people, and just like a good Arab, I would have to say goodbye ten times before hanging up. My mom would be proud.

I used to argue with my American husband about how he handled them.

“You can’t just say I’m not interested and hang up the phone; it’s rude,” I would say to him.

“They are scammers. You don’t waste your time on them, ” he would respond.

“It doesn’t matter. You can’t just hang up!” I would say and then storm off.

I knew I was right. I thought I was right.

Now, 17 years later, I would hang up the phone the minute I heard them let out their first breath. No hellos, no goodbyes. As soon as I terminated the call, I immediately added their number to my blocked numbers list, thanks to the magic of the iOs.

Assimilation 🇺🇸 at its best.

*Photo by Vlada Karpovich from Pexels