Treasure These Phone Calls

(I work in the sales and service department for a publishing company that specializes in religious curriculum. We often get calls from well-meaning but untrained church ladies who volunteer at their church when no one else will, in positions they have no right working at.)

Me: “Thank you for calling [Company]. How may I help you?”

Church Lady: “Yes, I am the new treasurer at [Church] and the statement you sent us makes no sense whatsoever. Can you help me?”

Me: “Okay, I’ll be more than happy to help you. What is your question?”

Church Lady: “I don’t understand what it means on the bottom, where it says ‘Dollar sign seven-five-period-four-five.’”

Me: “Um… that is the amount your church owes. $75.45.”

Church Lady: “Oh, I guess I’ve just never seen it written like that before.”