Are we so busy that we can't spare 5 minutes anymore?

I do not think it's just time, it's more than mood. What do you think can tell someone when does not want to fill a survey? It's hard to say a direct NO. It is better to say a NO in a more "pleasant" (you gave the example here). Of course, I am very directly :D Maybe some do not even have time, it happens to me sometimes. Sometimes 5 minutes can do more. Ask yourself what do you do in 5 minutes and you answer the question. In 5 minutes I can start a lot of interesting discussions on myLot that I enjoy them. All 5 minutes can fix a socket in the house (which does not really fix them because i do not have time for most of the time).

Oh my gosh, kimbers867! I have been looking all over for you on myLot! I missed all your reports on what day it is. I've been stumbling around all over the house saying, "I sure wish that kimbers867 would let me know what day it is!" Even my husband asked me what day it was (according to you, of course) and I couldn't tell him. Anyhoo, back to your myLot discussion--I have to say that time is of the essence and that I don't like getting caught up answering alot of questions put to me by strangers on the phone. Therefore, I could be one of those that says I don't have time. But, you make an excellent point--yes, I've noticed I'm always in a hurry, as are other people and that there is just too much to get done and not enough time to do it. I don't like it but I can't quite find my way out of it. Good to see your avatar/icon again.

I guess that is a common excuse not to be involved in any survey. Especially if the survey is not solicited by the receiver. Being in this line of work, it should be expected. And seriously, some of these callers who call to solicit for surveys, call at the darnest time possible. Either during a meeting, or a discussion going on with customers or bosses. So do not be surprise if the "I am busy" excuse is genuine.

Hi Yeah, I feel how tough the life of such people who ask for 5 mins. In fact it's not that people are too busy to spare 5 mins. It's the content I guess. I receive such calls regularly from different Cos. Initially, i attended those calls. But i realized that those people start conversation and then keep on insisting for a long period, They need to achieve a target, but those who are not interested feel disturbed. I guess, less intelligent callers have already created a bad image. So people generally tend to ignore those calls randomly saying that they are busy. I got a call from a salesman, who just briefed me about the product and asked if I'm interested to know more. He did all of these within a min or so. I liked his approach. But unfortunately most of the salesmen want to say as many as they can without bothering about with whom they are talking about. That's where the problem lies.