You guys have me inspired.  Next time I accidentally answer one of these type calls I'm going to go all FSF on them.  Basically, I'll just use them as if a long-lost friend just called and REALLY wanted to hear, in painful detail, all about everything that's going on in my life.  Naturally I'll make up some really good stuff like the time I accidentally had my arm ripped off in a wood grinder but, through a miracle black magic potion (from India) it grew back except now I have six fingers on that hand.  Yeah, this could be quite interesting!  

I get robocalls all the time, despite the fact that the entire state of NC is on the no call list for robocallers.
I changed my answering machine so that it doesn't answer until after 7 rings, so they usually hang up before then.
No more coming home from work with 3 or 4 prerecorded messages on the machine.

I got a call from a woman claiming she could increase my broadband speed up to 30megs AND reduce to cost at the same time.
I gave her a half hour lecture on why fibre and cable was faster than "good old broadband" WHICH SHE LISTEND TO!!
Only then did I announce that I already had cable internet that was faster (and cheaper) than what she was offering.
After checking again that I still didn't want it, she apologised and hung up...
 
I cant see her ever making any sales.

craigb

Mesh
I don't have a land line and very rarely get these calls (if at all), but there is a National_Do_Not_Call_Registry giving you a choice of not receiving these calls.

The ones doing surveys think that this registry doesn't apply to them since they're not trying to sell you anything, they simply want to annoy the living crap out of you.  Naturally, I don't see any difference at all. 

Technically it doesn't.  the Do Not Call list does not apply to Non and not for Profit surveys, official local, state or national political parties or businesses from which you have done business with in the past.
 
https://www.donotcall.gov/faq/faqbusiness.aspx#who

Even more naturally, I've now taken to using their calls for my own benefit.  I had one yesterday and I have no idea what he selling/offering/asking for since I immediately started trying to sell him some of the stuff I have up for sale.  That call didn't last long, but it was fun! 
 
I'm already thinking of other scripts for next time.  Perhaps the guy with short-term memory loss who keeps asking the same questions and repeating the same lines?  Or the Tourettes guy?  Or maybe try to convert them to a new religion (one I make up on the spot)?  Yeah...  This could be good! 

You want a script?  Just start reading the FSF to them...

They wouldn't make it past page 1.
(And we all know page 43 has the most interest, ya?)

craigb
They wouldn't make it past page 1.
(And we all know page 43 has the most interest, ya?)

I thought page 43 was deleted due to violations of the TOS, let alone violations of human decency. 

Beagle

craigb
They wouldn't make it past page 1.
(And we all know page 43 has the most interest, ya?)

I thought page 43 was deleted due to violations of the TOS, let alone violations of human decency. 

That's what made it interesting. DUH. 

Most of the time I'm gentle with those callers. There isn't a single one of them who's doing it by choice, and they work under des picable conditions for crap pay. I politely say "not today, thanks" and hang up.
 
The exception to my rule are the weasels selling penny stocks, diamonds, krugerands and such. These guys ARE doing it by choice and potentially making excellent money suckering people. When they call, the gloves come off.
 
They're depending on a very small percentage of suckers falling for their scam. The longer I can keep them on the phone, the fewer victims they'll claim that day. I've kept them on the line for over an hour. Tell me more, I'd say, then make a cup of tea or get on the forum while they entertained themselves with the sound of their own smug voices.