A good friend of mine used to be a recruitment consultant. I used to live with a used-car salesman. I have never knowingly socialised with an estate agent.
In Germany, being a doctor or engineer makes you a pillar of society. In the US, being a lawyer or a doctor makes you a respectable citizen. In the UK, being a recruitment consultant makes you scum in the eyes of many. My good friend obviously is not scum.
“Hi I’m weasel from IT recruitment scum. How are you?”
“Ginger peachy. How are you?”
“…I’m good.”
(no-one has ever asked him that before I’m sure, hence the pause in the assault of weasel-patter)
“I haven’t spoken to you before but you’re in my database, so I thought I’d get back in contact with you about your requirements”
Click. Bzzzzt.