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>(don't beat up on their phone agents though, they are just trying to make ends meets). I've gotten very tired of this. Every time I'm on calls like this now I
by noonespecial 9y ago
>(don't beat up on their phone agents though, they are just trying to make ends meets).
I've gotten very tired of this. Every time I'm on calls like this now I gently suggest to the phone agent that they know that what they are doing
contributes to a system that hurts people and that they should try to do something more with their lives.
Don't scream or bluster. Do it with gentleness and respect and get ready to be occasionally very surprised at the results.
- blackguardx 9y agoI worked in a call center during high school. Everyone is there just for the paycheck. These call centers are usually in places with terrible economies and these centers are the only job option for many people. I worked alongside many people in their 60s. Imagine doing that as a retirement plan.
- noonespecial 9y agoI accept that it sounds intensely condescending and harsh. I present it as an alternative to either screaming profanity (which they hear non-stop, all day), or meekly accepting the "there's nothing that can be done" lie they are instructed to feed you to get you off the phone in minimum time. Nine times out of ten, you'll get a dismissive hangup but every once in a while it shatters the script and you'll get a quick story of someone trapped in a bad situation and then a quick word of advice on how to proceed in a a way that will get results. Its a rhetorical phone nuke. Use it carefully. I started using it about 5 years ago when I noticed that the "heartfelt plea" had utterly stopped working. I also use it often when "Microsoft tech support" calls me to tell me that they have detected that my computer has a virus. Its a touch more appropriate in that situation.
- wjamesg 9y agoWow