Excellent suggestions! blood stains indeed! I let the machine answer usually...it says "If you are selling something, press one. if I owe you money. press two, otherwise, leave a message and I'll call you back" Naturally, it does them no good to press anything, so they just hang up. On those rare occassions when I do pick it up, at the slightest delay, I hang up.

A few years ago, this dating service near drove me nuts, and no amount of "I'm not interested" could stop them. Finally, after about the 4th call, the lady got real personal, and asked "Are you seeing anyone"? I replied, "Yes" she asked "Is it serious"? I said "It will be if her husband finds out"! she said "Oh my...oh dear"! no more calls.