I've also asked them for their home phone number. When they ask why, I tell them that I want to call them at home during their dinner.

BTW, will you be at the German DevCon next month?

>Yes, but unless you have a script or a nice punch line this takes your time as well. One other tactic of mine if I am not alone is to ask them to hold for a few seconds while I have to "clear the meeting" and then go on about talking about some design patterns or strange bugs. Sometimes I do inform the caller that it might take a few more moments<g>. If I am alone I often have to type something up first, then get my coffee, take care of the other phone and so on. Just making sure the person calling me is well rested before he hangs up the phone. If they have the decency to ask when it would be best for them to call me back I try my very best to give them times I am sure nobody will answer the phone - that way they are spared another round with me.