I’ve got your 411 right here.
Posted by tenacious1411 at 10:24 AM on 09.21.08
One cannot really explain what life is like as a 411 operator. You really just have to jump in and hear some calls. An average day of giving out numbers will definitely include calls such as the following:
Me: What city?
Moron: Ticketmaster
Me: City and state please.
Moron: Ticketmaster
note: Moron says it louder, like I just couldn’t hear him the first time.
Me: In what city?
Moron: TICKETMASTER!
note: Moron is now screaming Ticketmaster at me. It is at this point that I think that perhaps I am speaking some form of jibber jabber. I must be switching my words around and not realizing it. I test my theory.
Me: On what street please?
Moron: San Antonio
note: It is my desire, at this point, to jump out of a window. However, none of the windows in our building open…hmmm. I compose myself and complete the call.
I will end this with a quote from Euripides:
“Whom the gods wish to destroy, they first make mad. ”
True dat.
Yeah, people do that all the time. It makes me wonder what they’re listening FOR, because they’re not listening TO anyone but themselves.
“may i have your name?”
“yeah the last four of my SSN is **** ”
okay…….thanks
“may I have your name?”
“yeah I’m calling to check on my bill”
great……
“MAY i have your NAME?”
“293 Lindbergh, Phoenix, AZ”
what language am i speaking?
“may I have your name?”
“bob”
“okay bob and your last name?”
“why do you need that?”
its at this point I usually realize a 2 minute question is going to turn into a 25 minute call because one side is dealing with less than a full deck
Too funny. I am an HR verification agent and have this type of conversation occur all the time:
“Hello, may I have your phone number to pull up your application.”
“Yes.” (the person is silent, thinking I am going to get their phone number from osmosis or telepathy?)
“Hello, may I have your phone number to pull up your application.”
“Who’s this?”
“Hello, may I have your phone number to pull up your application.”
“Why do you need that?” (Ummm…didn’t I just say “to pull up your application?”)
“Hello, may I have your phone number to pull up your application.”
“Well, YOU called me so you should have it.” (It’s an automated phone system that calls out and they have to wait for the next representative, but do you want to take time out to explain to them for 5 minutes why you don’t have their phone number?).
“Hello, may I have your phone number to pull up your application.”
“Why didn’t a representative call when they were ready to talk to me?” ((It’s an automated phone system that calls out and they have to wait for the next representative).
Bless their hearts!