Oh, don't get me started now on "playing with telemarketers" --- I've honed this into an art form over the years, and there is SO much to work with when you're obviously not a native speaker of the local language.

Sometimes just telling them you don't understand what they're saying because they are talking too fast (and mumbling) and insisting that they speak m-o-r-e s-l-o-w-l-y... Make them repeat everything 4 or 5 times (or more, depending on your mood). Pick individual words and ask them to explain.

Or find a "creative" reason linked to their product to end the call. Double glazing? I don't own the house, it's not my decision. Sleazy tax dodge investment schemes? - we don't pay any taxes as it is - but can they get us money back? And my favorite - when they call our company offering "collection services" for our slow paying customers, I just ask them if they break knees. We only have one customer who is really bad about paying his debts, and I know he'd improve if we just sent a big guy named Guido over to break his knees one time... I think that guy hung up on me.

Life is too short not to have fun!
Cheers,
Bev