The Marines Recruiters' Latest Weapon...the Telephone

I just finished an awkward telephone conversation with a Marines recruiter. Or, I shouldn't say 'finished' because I ended it abruptly. I hated doing it, but what other option did I have? I did not want to join the Marines, but I also didn't want to be disrespectful. The conversation went something like this:
(my mom answers the telephone, then says something about "Philip?" and soon gives it to me. She warns me that it is the Marines trying to recruit me and that I should say "thank you, I'm not interested" and hang up)
"Hello, is this Philip?"
"Yes."
"How are you today?"
"Fine."
"What do you know about what the Marines do?"
"They go on navy ships and do land-based operations on other continents."
The recruiter was impressed, and answered excitedly, "Yes, that's right." At this point, I realized that maybe I was going too far with the polite conversation.
The recruiter continued: "What do you intend to do after high school?"
Intent on crushing his hopes, I answered swiftly, "liberal arts college."
The recruiter began to ask me more about my supposed liberal arts interests. I found myself mentioning that I was also interested in science and engineering. He was quick to get back to the Marines recruitment: "Do you know how you can apply science and engineering skills in the Marines?"
I didn't know what to say. I wound up saying, "What?" He repeated. I decided that I had to do what I hate doing--abruptly cutting off a telephone conversation. But I had to. So I said, as rapidly as I could, "Thank you, but I'm not interested. Goodbye." And hung up. Oh my goodness gracious. Please don't make me do that again.


-Philip