Take note...
If the very lovely AND POLITE lady you've been speaking to at the big important bank office place puts you on hold. Don't call her a "fucking retard" because, chances are she can hear you.
She will then tell you that she can hear you and will shout at you and tell you you a very rude man.
Then she'll cut you off and everytime you call back she'll cut you off again. Then she'll probably put the kettle on and go back to looking at pictures of kittens.
( wanderlust, Tue 24 Jun 2008, 15:46, 36 replies)

Thats why you always take their name
then you phone their supervisor. Chances are she didnt put you on 'hold' if she can hear you. She merely put you on 'mute', which is usually against policy.

I'm a phone jockey. I live in constant fear of aggravating people because I haven't a leg to stand on. The people on the other end of the phone = incoming money. Me = outgoing money. You can see where management stands on conflicts.
(bazmorningstar efil4nat3b, Tue 24 Jun 2008, 15:50, closed)

Maybe she is a fucking retard?
You never know.

Who are we talking about anyway?
(Belgaer is, Tue 24 Jun 2008, 15:51, closed)

I'm the retard
apparently :(
( wanderlust, Tue 24 Jun 2008, 15:52, closed)

General rule of thumb.
people are arseholes.
( whenanimalsattackhumans clad in global hypercolour, Tue 24 Jun 2008, 15:55, closed)

Not at all, Wanderlust...
in my experience (which is vast), it's always the horrible bastards who get everything they want.
(bazmorningstar efil4nat3b, Tue 24 Jun 2008, 15:55, closed)

If they are rude
then they don't deserve service. It's really that simple.

I've been known to give lessons in manners to people who needed them, in my very cold and formal voice to make them feel like they're 12 and in front of the teacher again. It's loads of fun, really.
( The Resident Loon Not a demographic. Do not measure., Tue 24 Jun 2008, 15:57, closed)

@ TRL
I used to do that, I stopped now though.

*hobbles off on peg leg*
(Belgaer is, Tue 24 Jun 2008, 16:00, closed)

it just makes me sad
That some people are so rude.
I was doing my best to help someone and he got very, very shouty.

I don't know, maybe I should toughen up.
I just find that a simple please, thank you and not being a complete cunt can make a huge difference to someone's day.
( wanderlust, Tue 24 Jun 2008, 16:01, closed)

^ This
Definitely.
( Davros' Granddad a voice of calm reason in a world of spastics., Tue 24 Jun 2008, 16:05, closed)

Quite apart from anything else
...he's an idiot for not acting in his own enlightened self-interest. Being a twit on the phone = no service for you = no happy ending. Being polite on the phone = some service, at least = possible happy ending.
( Amish Information Systems hates misplaced, commas, Tue 24 Jun 2008, 16:06, closed)

I'm torn here
I always try and be nice on the phone, even if the person on the other end is useless.

But, when you have a real problem, and you have to explain said problem to every new person you talk too because "putting a note on the system" is a polite way of saying "did fuck all" and no-one helps you, or puts you through to the person who will help you, or promises to call you back and then doesn't, it can be really really frustrating.

That said, getting angry never solves anything, hence I try and avoid it, on phones at least.

That also said, I am utterly crap at complaining, because I find myself getting angry and am unable to articulate it any other way then just getting grumpy.

But you're not a retard, and he was clearly a cunt.
(Bazongaloid, Tue 24 Jun 2008, 16:15, closed)

I've always wanted to point out to these people
that I know where they live. But I need my job. So I don't.

Damn call recording!

Have a *click* from someone who's been called every rude name under the sun - and a few that aren't even English!
(TheWeeWitch hasn't been here much recently .., Tue 24 Jun 2008, 16:22, closed)

having been both ends of the call
i always try to be nice, if people were nice to me i sorted threir problems (often on my own time if i wasnt allowed to do it then and there, other times just did it then and there and had the argument with the manager later) if the person on the other end is needlessly stroppy all they end up getting is the standard turnaround times.
now im at the other end of the phone i always ask very nicely, especially so if i need something doing quickly, seems to work most of the time. and if in doubt find out in whatever cheeky and dubious way who their managers manager is and try to phone them direct if it doenst get sorted - this is on the basis that there managers manager is probably of a suitable standing where they are allowed to shout back, so if you need to get shouty thats who to shout at)
and if all else fails use companies house to get home addresses to the directors/ major shareholders of the company and threaten to write to them directly at home, or phone them at the weekend - its amazing what you can get done) just remember the poor person on the end of the phone when you first get through is quite possibly being paid very little to do what is actually a very stressful and sometimes difficult job, they dont deserve shouting at (oooh rant over sorry)
(pogo_it, Tue 24 Jun 2008, 16:35, closed)

@Al
If he did have a problem I would have gone out of my way to help him.
I know how frustrating it can be!
He wanted to speak to someon in "office supplies". We work on a no names policy here because we have so many calls where people try to sell the bank IT supplies or new staplers etc. So no contact name, no connection, terribly sorry and all that.
I tried to help him out, he was rude, I hung up, put the kettle on and am now enjoying a lovely cup of tea.
And thank you for saying I'm not a retard. I do try my hardest not to lick windows.
( wanderlust, Tue 24 Jun 2008, 16:35, closed)

I worked in a bank
face-to-face with customers rather than on the phones. I worked on position five, which is where all the rude, angry, upset and/or mongyfied cutomers were sent.
I had a great time. I had things thrown at me and all sorts. Once man called me a cunt. I subsequently cancelled his overdraft facility. Surprisingly good fun at position five.

You put that kettle on, Wanderlust. Enjoy the moment!
( thealternativefact, Tue 24 Jun 2008, 16:43, closed)

@ Ancrenne
I'm rude to her all the time.

Does this mean you're going to beat me? ;)
(Belgaer is, Tue 24 Jun 2008, 18:08, closed)

@Gayer
No, it means you're a twat.
( Madam Marlboro wonders if you've found her yet, Tue 24 Jun 2008, 19:17, closed)

MM
*high fives*
( fuck shit up the best you never had, Tue 24 Jun 2008, 20:03, closed)

An idea for a prank I had
Get a job with a call centre using a fake ID. Do not hand in the P45 from your previous job - keep saying you forgot it. If a customer is rude or just a whinger, give him a piece of your mind there and then. When your boss summons you, run like the wind and escape. Wash, rinse, and repeat.
( mistaspakkaman and the inedible shifting caterpillars, Tue 24 Jun 2008, 20:12, closed)

@Ancrenne
Thank you you lovely lady.
I think his address is:
Mr Cuntyballs
11 Imatwat drive
Cuntsville
Somewhere in a posh bit of London.

@MM and Becky.
Can I get involved in that high 5 action aswell?
( wanderlust, Tue 24 Jun 2008, 20:21, closed)

You surely can Wanderlust
*snogs for good measure* as I don't think I even spoke one word to you at the bash as I was chairhoppng and smoking. Must rectify in spades at the next one.
( fuck shit up the best you never had, Tue 24 Jun 2008, 20:29, closed)

@wanderlust
what beckyletters said. You coming camping love?
( Madam Marlboro wonders if you've found her yet, Tue 24 Jun 2008, 20:37, closed)

Can I offer a high five too?
*high fives*

What's all this camping malarkey?
( Devil_In_Tights the *real* DiT!, Tue 24 Jun 2008, 20:56, closed)

Beer Festival September 10th
It's on the calendar. Should be fun!
( thealternativefact, Tue 24 Jun 2008, 21:13, closed)

Camping
If I can get the time off work I'll come!
Beer, festival and camping happen to be three of my favourite things!
Also, anyone else who wants to get in on the mouth to mouth action. get involved.
( wanderlust, Tue 24 Jun 2008, 21:46, closed)

*hangs around at back shyly*
hoping snog might come her way one day!
( thealternativefact, Tue 24 Jun 2008, 21:56, closed)

Snogfest
Lovely people only.
But you lot are all lovely!
Hurrah!
( wanderlust, Tue 24 Jun 2008, 22:04, closed)

Yay!
I love it here!

*beams*
( thealternativefact, Tue 24 Jun 2008, 22:10, closed)

Snogs all the pretty girls
in this thread and runs away giggling
( fuck shit up the best you never had, Tue 24 Jun 2008, 22:18, closed)