[Positive]

These telemarketing operations are using a machine to make the calls, theres a person sitting there and a light tells them that you've answered - they press the button and start their pitch.

These machines are costly and aren't economically worthwhile if you are in a rural area - in that case the sales people have to dial their numbers from whatever source of numbers they use - so yours being unlisted would work.

[meyer]

These telemarketing operations are using a machine to make the calls, theres a person sitting there and a light tells them that you've answered - they press the button and start their pitch.

There's often a delay of a second or so between when you say 'hello' and they pick up, too. I always hang up if I don't hear anything right after I say hello. That's if I actually answer the phone in the first place.

[Dog Gone]

I've been swallowed up by a metropolis of over 4 million people, so I'd say an unlisted number works great in an urban area, too.