Sometimes progress isn't what it's cracked up to be. Since I just moved a few months ago, I've had endless opportunities to converse with the automated response options of so many large companies that we all do business with. These companies have taken the "human element" out of their service departments by installing computerized answering systems.
Raise your hand if you've called your cable company, cell phone service, or electric supplier expecting help from a friendly voice, only to have to "speak" to a computer voice. The voice asks you all sorts of questions, many times asking you to repeat your answer because it doesn't quite understand the nuance of real language. Just when you think you're going to be transferred to an actual person, the voice switches you over to another voice, with more questions and further confusion. When you finally stand up to the voice and indicate that you want to speak to a human representative, it puts you on hold and tells you "all personnel are busy handling other inquiries. Wait time is 15-20 minutes. Don't hang up, or you'll lose your place". In the back of your mind you know the voices are all laughing at you as they put you on hold and force you to listen to terrible music streaming straight from some 1970's-era elevator.
1) Here's my first thought. To all the businesses that employ these voice systems, you get 20 lumps of coal in your stockings, or more, if it fits! How about you actually offer service, instead of "lip service?" Be the first on your block to hire real people to speak to your customers, like it used to be. Make your customers feel better about doing business with your company.
2) And my second; if, after all of the above, you have the audacity to have another computer voice ask us to stay on the line to do a quick survey about how well you think you're doing, you get a truckload of coal delivered to one of your local call centers.
3) While I'm on the big companies and their practices, why not mention the difficulty we encounter when we want to call the company in the first place. They don't want you to call them, so they don't list a phone number, just an email or a live chat room. What about us old-timers who just want to talk? Please list your phone numbers for service calls, or you won't be getting that new toy under the tree you've been wanting.
Okay, enough grumbling, how about some nice thoughts? Well, here's a few:
4) Family and friends are what this time of year is all about, so take the time to touch everyone close to you. It really is the thought that counts!
5) Enjoy the innocence of youth, and savor the wisdom of age. One is free, and the other is earned over a lifetime, but both are precious commodities.Remember, Santa is a very old man for a very good reason.
6) Stay focused on everything good in your life, and try not to spend any time fretting over what you can't control, or what you don't have. Each of us only has so much energy; try to stay away from the negative and reinforce the positive. This is the most difficult thing for me sometimes, but I keep trying.
7) How about them Red Sox? I know; not all of you are Red Sox fans, but humor me for at least 10 seconds. Now, doesn't that feel good?
8) Here's an old one - Respect other people! Not everyone you come across is an idiot; you might even like them if you give them a chance! And Santa will definitely feel better about loading you up next week!
9) To all my fishing and hunting friends, may 2014 bring you the trophy you've always wanted. Enjoy the outdoors, but protect it and keep it pristine for our grandchildren. That's on all of us; don't let them down!
10) Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Men, Women and Children (updated to 2013). I hope you all enjoy your holidays! Merry Christmas everyone!
Mark T. Bradbury, Author
Literary Associate of Little Pond Publishing
Digital Publisher | eBooks | Marketing
Love your "sage advice", we all need to be reminded every now and then to be kind to one another and to respect each other's viewpoint.
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