(A customer has a bad signal issue that we have to dispatch a technician for during a busy part of the year.)
Me: “We have an opening in two days.”
Customer: “Two days?! No cable for two days? Well, who’s gonna watch my kids?!”
(I work at an auto and diesel repair shop, and I happen to be a young female. I write estimates, talk to customers, order parts, etc…)
Me: “[Shop]. How can I help you?”
Customer: “I need a quote on my truck.”
Me: “Sure, what kind of truck?”
Customer: “Are you the service writer?”
Me: “I am.”
Customer: “Are you the only service writer? No men?”
Me: “Just me. [Old Male Coworker] left a year ago.”
Customer: “Can I talk to anyone else?”
Me: “Sure. Hang on just a minute.”
(Transfers phone to one of the owners, who is an office manager.)
Owner: “Hi, this is Jane!”
(This happens about once a month.)
(I work tech support and we double for the switchboard when they’re busy. This call comes in on the switchboard.)
Me: “Thank you for calling [company]. How may I direct your call?”
Caller: “I need to talk to somebody in intake?”
Me: “I’m sorry, could you repeat that?”
Caller: *yelling* “INTAKE! SOMEBODY WHO ADMITS PEOPLE?!”
Me: “I’m sorry. We don’t admit anybody here. We just provide communications services such as phone, internet and cable television.”
Caller: “You don’t provide psychiatric help?”
Me: “No, this is [company].”
Caller: “[Local mental hospital]?”
Me: “No, [company’s acronym].” *I spell out the full name*
Caller: “Oh, sorry.” *click*
