The real "Wolf of Wall Street" sales script

Opening Script: “Are you busy?” vs “Do you have a second?”

• Several comments dissect why “Do you have a second?” is preferred to “Are you busy?” in the script.
• “Busy” is seen as a negative primer and gives an easy out; “a second” sounds trivial and plays on social pressure to be polite.
• Some are skeptical of “yes momentum” tactics, arguing people become defensive when pushed into repeated agreement.

Cold Calling Effectiveness and Economics

• Many express disbelief that cold calls or door-to-door sales still work; others note that even very low conversion rates are profitable at scale.
• Man-hours are cheap in call centers; quick rejections still make campaigns economical.
• Several point out that for some categories (e.g., roofing, pest control, B2B tools) finding customers “already thinking about it” is the real objective.

Targets, Psychology, and Manipulation

• Cold calling and boiler-room tactics are seen as preying on social discomfort with saying “no,” especially among older people and the lonely.
• Sales scripts deliberately frame refusals as rude, or offer “free” reports/gifts to trigger reciprocity and ego (“you’re important enough to get this”).
• Some argue almost no one is truly immune; others claim strict rules (“say no to all inbound,” never answer unknown numbers) are effective.

Generational and Technological Shifts

• In the 80s/90s, calls were rare and expensive, which signaled legitimacy; now VOIP and cheap global telephony make spam ubiquitous.
• This erosion of “cost as signal” has turned the phone system into a high-friction, low-trust channel.

Ethics of Stratton Oakmont and Sales Generally

• Strong backlash against the article’s suggestion that “we all kind of wish we’d worked there.” Many find glamorizing a fraud operation “gross.”
• Others admit the appeal of fast money while insisting they would not cross clear ethical lines.
• Broader debate: is high-pressure sales inherently immoral or just a tool misused by scammers?

Experiences from Sales and Startups

• Multiple commenters share time in boiler rooms, fundraising call centers, or tech sales. Scripts and qualification frameworks (BANT, MEDDPICC) are common.
• Distinction is drawn between SDR/ISR roles (high-volume qualifying) and AEs (closing large deals).
• Founders note cold outreach can be critical early on, framing it as “signal hunting” and learning rather than begging.

Film and Cultural Takes

• Some found The Wolf of Wall Street disappointing for over-emphasizing debauchery and underplaying consequences, arguably glamorizing the lifestyle.
• Others see it as clear social criticism, though acknowledge that making excess look “cool” can undermine the message.