Computers posing as people

Ok, I know this is the up and coming thing but is anyone else really annoyed with the new automated response phone systems that pretend to be a real person talking to you? I hate these things. I hate talking to a machine. The better systems at least give you a choice of whether you want to talk to it or use the keypad. I always opt for the keypad if available.

I know that companies are trying to make their systems more "friendly" but to me it's just an insult to have to "talk" to a machine. I'm afraid "phone trees" are here to stay but I hope we're always given the option to use the keypad if we want.