Setting the scene:  Papa and Mari are home together on a school day and have just finished lunch.  Phone rings and Papa strides quickly over to pick it up without looking at the caller I.D.

Conversation Part 1: 

Caller with mature, warm, friendly voice: ”Hello, this is Jane* with the Indianpolis Star” (*this name is changed because I simply don’t remember!)

Papa: “Hi, Jane.  I don’t think we’re interested in taking the Star.”

Jane:  “But its only $10 a month.”

Papa: (Laughing) ”I know!  You guys do a really good job of making sure we know that.” (both of us are laughing now.) “But I appreciate the offer,  thanks.”

Jane: (Still laughing) “Well thanks, you have a nice day.”

Papa: “You too, Jane. Goodbye.”

[Note: I honestly don't mind getting telemarket by the Indianapolis Star, which is a good thing because they call ALOT!  But all you have to say is "no thanks" and they don't persist.  They are always polite and friendly and I don't think its too much of a bother to be polite in return.  Every once in a while I hang up the phone feeling pretty good about having had a nice conversation with someone I don't even know and will probably never speak to again.]

Conversation Part 2:

Papa returns to the kitchen where Mari is at the table coloring.

Mari:  “Who was that who called on the phone?”

Papa:  “Oh, just the people from the paper who wanted to know if we wanted to buy the paper every day.”

Mari:  “Did you buy it?”

Papa:  “No, I don’t have time to read it.”

Mari:  “When you get retired you can buy it.”

Papa:  “Really?  Why do you say that?”

Mari:  “‘Cause that’s what Grandma and Grandpa do.  They just sit around reading the paper all the time and they’re retired.”

Papa: (Unable to contain laughter.)  ” Oh really.  I see…”

(Models shown simulating grandparent-like behaviour described by grandchild.  These are not actual grandparents.)