client service
it's safe to say that 90% of the working world is in some form of client services. advertising, PR, law, medicine...you have some type of customer that you're providing a service. in my industry, im in the department called client services so it's pretty self-explanatory. i have to suck it up and play nice no matter what--the customer is always right, right? but ive had my moments. those times when ive been so aggravated and stressed that i just couldn't control my attitude or temper. we all slip. this is why, when reading m00ncakes' entry and then my experience last night with our car service, made me laugh and angry at the same time.
last night, i worked until 10 p.m. our company policy says that if you live in manhattan and work after 9 p.m., you can call the car service (skyline). after a 13 hour day, i was pretty pooped so i called. here's what transpired after i gave my information and all that:
operator: ok, there's a 15-30 minute delay to pick you up
me: really? that's odd. why?
her: because.
me: because why? it seems kind of random.
her: why do you need to know?
me: well, it's 10 p.m. and i'm in midtown. have you ever been in this area at this time? it's completely dead. i was just curious.
her: do you want the car or not??!!
me: excuse me? (i actually started to laugh because i couldn't believe how rude she was when all i asked was a simple questions)
her: DO YOU WANT THE CAR OR NOT?!
me: (stunned) yes, i do
her: then is there anything else i can do for you?
me: yes, you can give me your name and transfer me to your manager--in my sweetest voice
she didn't give me her name, put me on hold for a few minutes and then disconnect me. i couldn't believe it but, i didn't get angry. i called back and spoke to a very nice woman who, among other things, told me that my reservation was never made--i had a feeling that would happen and we got to chatting. she was extremely apologetic and i felt bad for her because she was so sweet. i told her it was fine and that people have their bad days.
the funny thing is, if i EVER did something like that i would be fired immediately. i think i did the right thing by not making a big fuss about it but i also feel like i should have been tougher with the first operator i spoke to. then again, don't you attract more bees with honey than vinegar?
last night, i worked until 10 p.m. our company policy says that if you live in manhattan and work after 9 p.m., you can call the car service (skyline). after a 13 hour day, i was pretty pooped so i called. here's what transpired after i gave my information and all that:
operator: ok, there's a 15-30 minute delay to pick you up
me: really? that's odd. why?
her: because.
me: because why? it seems kind of random.
her: why do you need to know?
me: well, it's 10 p.m. and i'm in midtown. have you ever been in this area at this time? it's completely dead. i was just curious.
her: do you want the car or not??!!
me: excuse me? (i actually started to laugh because i couldn't believe how rude she was when all i asked was a simple questions)
her: DO YOU WANT THE CAR OR NOT?!
me: (stunned) yes, i do
her: then is there anything else i can do for you?
me: yes, you can give me your name and transfer me to your manager--in my sweetest voice
she didn't give me her name, put me on hold for a few minutes and then disconnect me. i couldn't believe it but, i didn't get angry. i called back and spoke to a very nice woman who, among other things, told me that my reservation was never made--i had a feeling that would happen and we got to chatting. she was extremely apologetic and i felt bad for her because she was so sweet. i told her it was fine and that people have their bad days.
the funny thing is, if i EVER did something like that i would be fired immediately. i think i did the right thing by not making a big fuss about it but i also feel like i should have been tougher with the first operator i spoke to. then again, don't you attract more bees with honey than vinegar?