In my shop, I have the radio pre-set to the local NPR station. During the day there are several interesting talk shows with varied topics. Usually, after some discussion, they take calls from listeners.

My poor nose is sore from listening to fully 75% of callers feeling they MUST begin with "Thank you for taking my call." This is a fairly recent phenomenon, as they did NOT usually do this 10-15 years ago. The station is **NOT** doing them a personal favor... they are taking calls in basic order, except for having someone filter out seemingly irrelevant, repeat, crazy and obviously prejudiced callers!

Then, 50% of male callers cannot begin ANY conversation without a mumbled "How are you?" or "howyadoin'?". ONCE I heard a host say "I am doing fine, just like I was when the last two callers asked." I want to yell at the radio, "Just ask or say what you called to say!"

This seems to be related to the 'cold call' where "How are you today?" is merely a pretense of 'caring' and a preamble to wanting to sell something or, in the radio case, wanting you to agree with their position on some issue.

I have a pretty strong aversion to any 'canned' or automated beginnings to questions or conversation.