Saturday, June 28, 2008

Stubborn Customer

I've been working in the call center industry for more than 2 years now from different call centers and contrary to what people say, working here isn't easy. This job will certainly test your patience and the stress brought by your stubborn customers will definitely take the zip out of your life at the end of your shift. I have spoken to different types of people and despite the length of my experience in customer service, there are still customers who never failed to make me utter the crassest words stacked in the recesses of my brain. The trite expression "you can't please all people" holds true in our jobs. And this customer I had earlier made me curse to death.

The customer wanted to add a hyperlink in his webmail account. However, that is not possible as there is no way to add hypelinks in his free web-based email. With all the empathy, positive scripting and what have you in the call center world, I told him about it. The customer did not buy what I said and demanded a supervisor. "I want to speak to your supervisor and I want this problem fixed right now" were his exact words. There were no supervisors visible that time and if there was one, I'm certain he wouldn't accept it as this issue is not really escalatable anyway.

With all the mettle I could muster, I typed this. "Sir, I understand you want to add hyperlinks in your email, however, that's not possible as there is no option to add hyperlinks in your web-based email. There is nothing to fix because there is no problem at all. The feature you are asking is simply not available. Understand that."

And then viola, "the user left and abandoned the chat page" message showed up. Mr. Stubborn closed our chat session.

This world is really peppered with snotty jerks. They are stubborn, insufferable, irrational people who always want to get their way.

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Funny SMS

Inday: (Speaking in English twang) Mr. conductor, can you please carry my LUGGAGE for me. It's quite heavy kasi eh.

Konduktor: Sure mum. Saan deto? (with a distinct Bisaya accent)

Inday: That thing over there?

Konduktor: Ito po ba? (pointing at the Louie Vuitton luggage)

Inday: Nope.. The other one.

Konduktor: Itong trolley mum?

Inday: Nope. (Whispering) That one!

Konduktor: (Uttering in a loud voice) Ah itong SAKO !?!?!?!?!?

Inday: (A bit embarrassed but still cocky) It's a bag made of SYNTHESIZED POLYESTER!!!!

MRT Fun

This story was related to me by a friend of a friend. Friends A and B had a rendezvous at SM Mall of Asia. Since B was new to the metropolis, riding a train was a bit alien to her. A, arrived earlier than the agreed time and asked B to take MRT so she can get there faster. B, being adventurous and always on the go, took her first MRT ride all by herself.

A, waited for almost an hour and was wondering why B hasn't arrived yet. She texted B and this was her reply:

"Pasensiya na A, malalate ako ng kunti kasi bumalik yong train eh. May naiwan na pasahero yata"

That text message made A's day full of laughter .... Apparently, B, did not get off at the last station.

Friday, June 13, 2008

Poor Lady

I took a bus going home and there was this "maarte" lady who wants to get off at the MRT Annapolis station. There are designated bays where buses can load and unload passengers in that area and when our bus stopped at the unloading bay, the conductor told her to get off and she just have to make few walks going to Annapolis station. But the lady brazenly refused to get off as she wants the bus to stop right in front of the MRT station. The conductor just shrugged it off and continued collecting fare. While our bus was already beside the MRT station, the lady told the driver to stop. But the driver did not hear her and the conductor deliberately ignored her cry. Out of sheer frustration, the poor lady shouted scornfully and told the driver to stop the bus so she can get off. Unfortunately, her desperate effort went futile as the bus can no longer stop as we were already taking the flyover. The bus can only take a halt at the next unloading bay which is really far from the MRT Annapolis station. Poor lady, she had walked under the scorching heat of the sun on her high heels and sexy dress. (Nawala tuloy poise niya) She wouldn't have suffered that much if she had gotten off when the conductor told her so.

After the lady got off, this thing came into my mind. Let's just say the conductor's adherence to the loading and unloading policy is admirable. But, would it hurt him if he had told the driver to stop right in front of the MRT station and showed an act of chivalry and courtesy to the lady knowing that there were no traffic enforcers to apprehend them anyway?