You Can’t Give Us Just One… More… Day?!
It’s the day after Christmas. I work in a call center for a national retail chain. For long-winded reasons, the call center is open, but the stores across the country are closed. I answer the phone.
Caller: “Your store is closed.”
Me: “Yes, ma’am. They’re closed until tomorrow.”
Caller: “But today is December 26.”
Me: “Yes, ma’am.”
Caller: “Christmas is over.”
Me: “Christmas was yesterday, yes. But we’re keeping our stores closed today as well.”
Caller: “Why?”
Me: “So that our staff can have some more time off.”
Caller: “Why?”
Me: “Because they need it.”
Caller: “Why? They already had a day off. Why do they need two?”
Me: “Is there anything else I can help you with, ma’am?”
Caller: “I want to go shopping.”
Me: “Then come back tomorrow, ma’am, and we will be open.”
Caller: “But I want to go shopping today.”
Me: “Then you’ll need to go somewhere else.”
Caller: “You need to send someone down to open the store.”
Me: “I can’t do that.”
Caller: “Just come downstairs.”
I pause.
Me: “Wait… ma’am, do you think we’re upstairs in the store you’re at?”
Caller: “Well, you are, aren’t you?”
Me: “No, we’re in a call center that serves the entire country.”
Caller: “Well, send someone over anyway. I need to shop.”
Me: “I can’t do that, ma’am.”
Caller: “Why?”
Me: “We’re closed until tomorrow, as I said.”
Caller: “Why?”
Me: “Because we’re giving our staff a break.”
Caller: “I don’t get it! A break from what?!”
I sooooo wanted to say “from you!” but I need this job…
