straight talk

"We’ll Get Back To You", "Would You Like To Leave a Message"?



Posted: Tuesday, August 05, 2008

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"We'll get back to you", "would you like to leave a message"? Yes those sayings and many more spell it all out about our society today. First we have the ever popular "Automated Attendant". Yes I worked on the very first models back in the early 90's and now, well I'm getting paid back in spades. Of course you can add voice mail. Sorry "he or she is at a meeting would you like to leave a message"? "Someone will get back to you shortly". Just don't hold your breath. "Sorry we were real busy and I didn't have time". Does any of this sound like America today. Yes, well it is called "SERVICE". That is the new breed of service

Oh and that automated attendant- Hello, please answer the following questions so I can route your call more effectively. Oh and by the way your balance is- I'm sorry you want, no I didn't say that, you want, no, I didn't say that, oh you'd like to, no, I didn't say that. I want Customer Service, Ok I'll switch you hold on. Hello please answer the following questions so I can route your call more effectively, oh and by the way your balance is. Hey didn't we just do this? Hello, I'm Joe [yes Joe in India who claims they are in Iowa] Financial Services. Another way to say Collections ,I didn't ask for you. May I have your name, number, password, identity and of course Social Security number please. Can you switch me to, no I can help you. No, you can't please switch me to America. I have to get your information first and we do not have that capability. Yes, yes, yes and yes and they do have that capability but they just don't want to switch you. In fact all these people off shore can do is to read a script. If they say this, ask this, do this, if they ask this, do that. No help until you blow your top or call back and start fresh.

So the simplest of signs and symbols sums up just what this nation has become. At every level of society we find this attitude. We have replaced people, an expense item, with machines and technology and get this, to make our life easier. Is your life really any easier or is it all about the bottom line, money, of course. Check outs are now do it yourself with the ever popular monitor person to clear the incorrect entry. Row after row of check outs empty and devoid of those minimum wage people. Hey, why pay them when they have you to do it and you love it.

Call the doctor and get "She is with someone would you like to leave a message". Yes, please tell her H E L P and could she please get back to me as soon as possible? Certainly, I'll put you through to her voice mail. Eight hours later and close to closing 4:31 PM, hello, you have reached Dr. so and so's answering service. If this is a medical emergency hang up and dial 911. No kidding. Regular office hours are 8 A.M. until 5 P.M. Monday through Friday. Hey, it is not 5 P.M. yet. Does it matter?

Call back the next day and ask, did you get my message from yesterday? "Oh, I haven't had time to listen to them, I have been busy all morning". Have your tried the Government. "Oh, you have the wrong office, call this number". Oh, we don't handle that, call this number". Oh that's not us and I'm sorry I don't have a number to give you".

Now some may say this is complaining, who me? Not I, I don't want to offend anyone and disturb their day or tranquility. After all we must look at the bright side, the full glass rather then half empty right. I'll tune in that guy on Public TV or J_ _l and get the inspiring thought of the day., You know, "it is what it is and no use complaining, right". Look, at least you got through and when do get your message they will eventually get around to calling, I hope? If not just pick up the phone and try again. After all, you know everyone is short handed these days and don't have enough help. Oh really, when did this happen?

Oh, well I guess you are right? Change is coming right. We are all going to work together to bring it about, right? Sure, Obama says so. Yes he has been in Washington a number of years and he has been a leader throughout, right? Thank God he isn't part of that Washington crowd. McCain, well why even comment. Hey he's been in Washington for 26 years, that ought to clarify his capability.

Oh well, I'm sorry, I have to leave off. I'm setting up my "answering machine to say- all calls recorded for training purposes". I found out no one will leave a message once they hear that. Give it a try, it really works.

Oh and I must not forget "We'll get back to you", "would you like to leave a message"?

Robert T. Melaccio Sr. 2008 Copyright 2008 Robert Melaccio Sr.



Robert Melaccio Sr. has worked in the computer industry for 40 plus years in a diversified business and managerial environments. He enjoys freelance writing, giving seminars for young adults and teen groups as well as being an accomplished award winning poet of published poetry. He has worked teaching and as a youth minister. He is married and has three children and three grandchildren.

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