Let's ponder for a moment the world of customer service. Do we even
remember what that is? Now I know that I am horribly biased on this
subject because it is how I have made my living most of my adult life.
Working in some way shape or form with the general public. Let me tell
ya, some of you general public are totally bonkers. Once in awhile, I
become one of them myself.

First lets think about what customer service really is. The customer is
always right...right? Sure we'd love that to be the case and in theory
it is. But haven't times changed?
It's an instant gratification world, we want it and we want it right
now. No matter what "it" might be.

When I need help with something, anything, my computer, my bank
account my George Forman Grill. I usually have to call a lovely 1-800
number and I get to talk to the not so lovely recording. The recording
that can't seem to understand me, can't hear me no matter how loud I
shout. Plus people around me think I am nuts becuase I am yelling YES!
NO! YES! NO WAIT into my phone.
Now, lets say I'm lucky and after waiting about 3o minutes I get
through to a live person! Oh wait, it's only a semi-living person, at
least they sound like a zombified semblance of a human. But hey,I've got
someone, Ok quick tell your story with all the gory details and try so
hard to convince yourself they really are listening. Even when they say
"Oh that's not my department" and put me on hold again.

Yes! halllelujah on hold again, now I have more time to paint my
toenails. Why am I on hold? Well, it's not her department that's why,
who or what am I now holding for? No one knows so I wait and wait and
wait some more. Finally a voice in the darkness.

Why? I ask, Why have I been waiting so long? You don't know? What..my
whole story again?!? My debit card keeps getting denied when you guys
tell me there's nothing wrong...I even went into my local branch and
they tell me nothing is wrong but something IS wrong!
Why are you talking to me like I am stupid or something? Am I stupid
for hanging on to this phone for 45 minutes? Dare I doubt myself?

Ohhhh you need to transfer me again....uhm yeah ok.
Now I know call centers and how they work. I know what it sounds like when whoever answered your call decided to send you back into the que or sometimes if they really don't like you there is that caller limbo they can "accidentally" banish you to.

Here we insert one of Oprahs LIghtBulb moments. This is shitty customer
service. Problem easily solved Washington Mutual.I am no longer your
customer, so you don't have to worry about customer service anymore.

Why would I talk about people in my own profession like this? Because, sadly it seems that a lot of us are out there sucking at our jobs. Sure everyone has a bad day now and then, that's perfectly understandable but if your your job is customer service, then by golly your job is customer service. It's a competative world, the human touch even if it is a tone of voice is priceless these days. Maybe some day we won't even get to talk to people on the phone anymore, or get our questions answered face to face....who knows, but until then the basics matter, the basics of respect and dignity.


Now after this rant about crappy customer service I happen to be the recipient of some absolutey stunning, wonderful customer service today. It was so damn good I will write a whole other entry singing the praises of this particular Veterinarian.

"Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have that awareness,you have good manners,no matter what fork you use." Emily Post