There are two things that floor me in this world, how kind people can be, and how incredibly stupid they can be. Mean and nasty does not shock me any longer.

I've been reminded how stupid some of my customers can be lately. Of course, a big part of my business is spent talking on the phone, picking up phone calls and dialing the phone. Working in a call center, you have to know about phones. Yep...No real shocker there.

But my customers don't seem to have that same rudimentary knowledge that I do. Hell, I'm surprised some of them even figured out how to call me in the first place. Here's an example of some conversations I have had:

(Customer)"I want you to call my cell phone when you know the status of the trade."
(AC) "OK, What's that phone number?
(Customer) "572-6333."
(AC) "OK, What's the area code for your cell phone?"
(Customer) "Cell phones don't use area codes-just dial that number."

I am not making this up-more than one moron has actually said this.

Another one:
(Customer) "Here's my phone number 1-519-456-9087."

You would not believe how many people call us up and make sure to remind us that we must dial a '1' before dialing the area code. I figure they must write it down that way so they don't forget.

What I want to say is,"Ok, thanks for reminding me about that '1' part, I don't spend much time around phones so I'm always forgetting that bit-along with how to tie my shoes and walk upright..."

Another pet peeve:
(AC)"What's that phone number?"
(Customer)"It's 732-5648, area code 619."

Yeah, it's a good thing they told me that area code last-cause I always dial it last. You copy things down expecting the first three numbers to be the area code, and then they throw out that four digit number and you realize you have to start all over because they forgot the whole concept of long distance calling.

I know it's petty, but I'm willing to admit I am petty sometimes. It wouldn't bother me so much if it wasn't the same stupid bone-headed moves by the same boneheads day after day. You just want to reach through the phone and shake them by the head to hear that tiny piece of gray matter bouncing around in their cranium like some rubber super ball inside a five gallon paint can. I am sure that the spatial ratio is the same.

There, I feel better-maybe I can work up some kindness for my customers again. Some of them do deserve it contrary to how much I rant sometimes.

Thanks for reading,

AC