Ex-directory means sqat these days, I still get calls.

I dislike being sold things at the best of times, but when I'm in my home, in a private environment and someone technically enters that home to sell me things it is an invasion.
Just becuase you do it to everyone, doesn't make it OK, in fact, it's worse than if only those with a past hisorty of purchasing a certain product are profiled.

I don't say horrible things, I just say no thank you and hang up.
TV advertising is bad also, but at least it funds programes, and you can turn it off. If the phone rings, you don't know who it is.

If you are a telemarketer you HAVE to expect abuse, you are taking people's time away from them, and most of the time, interrupting them, disturbing them.
It's bad enough when a friend or realtive does that, let alone a stranger who wants to make a profit from you.

There are tons of unpopular jobs out there, and when a bailiff gets punched it might not be right but it's almost in the job description.
It is, however very wrong when kids call the fire brigade just to shoot at them with air rifles.
I am a nurse, and when a drunk whose head I'm trying to suture spits at me or lashes out, THAT is a reason to complain.