Customer Service

If anyone has worked directly with customers, you'll relate.

Don't you just hate it when someone comes in and yells at you? They assume whatever happened that was wrong you did on purpose and therefore you're the scum of the earth for not doing it right? Obviously you couldn't manage to do it right anyway because, let's face it, you're just in customer service. If you had a brain you'd be a lawyer or doctor, not working with customers.

I have had my fair share of people throw drinks at me, throw bags of food at me, call and complain about me, cuss at me, spit at me, or refuse to leave a drive thru window because of the littlest things: I forgot to give them a straw; or I only gave them fifteen bbq sauces when they asked for sixteen, or I breathed funny or answered a question from a fellow co-worker and broke eye contact. You name it, I've been there.

That is part of the reason I try and be so careful when I handle people in customer service. If I have to call any service department for any reason, I check myself going into the phone call. Am I angry? Should I cool down first? Can I address the problem reasonably without making the person on the other end of the line feel like I'm the customer that ruined their day? Should I wait a few days, hours or minutes to collect my thoughts so it's quick and painless for everyone?

Even though I ensure the answer to the last three questions is a solid yes, there is still a point in the conversation that I can feel the biting sarcasm or general frustration yearn to kick in.

Example: This morning I was on the phone with a Customer Service Representative from AT&T. A small billing problem, and let's face it, billing problems are the worst. Kudos to anyone who works in billing; you're pretty brave. After being told that I misread terms and agreements that I read clearly, I felt it coming. My general frustration for the last week tried to get the better of me. I bit it back, I refrained from raising my voice (not that I have much of a voice to raise today,) and tried for patience.

The problem was resolved in 18 minutes and 43 seconds. I left both of the women I talked to with good reviews, claiming that I was indeed a satisfied customer.

Now, I like to connect dots. Maybe God put me at Chick Fil A four and a half years ago so that I could learn to be more patient. So that I could enter that adult world of bills and problem-solving with a little more understanding so I won't be that lady with the Christian bumper stickers who gets out of her car to yell at other people because they are being impatient. Either way, you have to appreciate all of life and it's little lessons.

In Review

So much has happened since the last post! Much I probably will fail to mention today, but oh well.

I have gone to Virginia and back. The trip was exciting and trust me when I say well needed. Those Virginians that I love so dearly know how to have a good time. Downtown Richmond flew by, but the restaurant and hotel were lovely. I'd like to go back someday, I think. Really explore it. Maybe next time? We also went to the Peanut Festival (a kind of county fair that was actually really cool) and to Busch Gardens. Now here's the kicker:

I love roller coasters. I adore them. For the past few years, though, I've been unable to ride them. This, as you could guess if you knew me and weren't being the sweetest people I've known, is because of my weight. And every time I go to an amusement park I feel that sting. So, I need to get on this. And not just so I can ride a rollercoaster, though that would be amazing! But, for my health. For my over-all well being. For my future. It may sound silly to some people, but though God accepts me and loves me for everything I am, this isn't the way he intended me to be. God gave me a body, to move and dance and serve and ride rollercoasters, and I have taken this body and limited myself with how much weight I have put on it. Truth be told, I believe (and I may be wrong) that I'm supposed to be a mom, and at my current weight having kids isn't healthy, believe it or not. So, having said all of this, I'm making a plan and putting it into action.

Update: Our church Volleyball team is 3 and 2 in the league. While winning three and only losing two is pretty good for our little team: It's just fun. I look forward to it every week.

In other news, one of my favorite bands put out a new album yesterday. I enjoy having good Christ-centered bands that are encouraging to listen to and stray away from the dry, mundane sound that a lot of Christian Artists stick with. Now, don't get me wrong. I still think the five members of FF5 are good, Christian guys. I love listening to them pray, I love reading interviews with them where you can see their passion for God. I'm just wishing I could see it in their music again. I'm sure I'll like some of the songs. It's just they've gotten so far away from the original premise of Family Force 5 ("We want to make music that is for God, but at the same time, we want to make music that people enjoy and that they're not turned off by.") While I will give the album kudos for having some pretty cool beats and catchy lyrics, the idea that having to try and find God in the lyrics between Dang Girl (which sounds like 3OH3! should have recorded) and Mamacita troubles me a little. After the EP was released the mentioned having more spiritual songs on the album and (given I've only previewed most of the songs) I'm not finding them.

I promised pictures in an earlier post, and you're going to get them. Next time, though. Methinks I need a good clean up before I post it for anyone to see.

In case you were wondering: I love living here. I love the cold, I love the rain, I love the country. I miss my Texas friends just like I miss Alaska and England, though. I keep saying this is an adventure and it is: a new chapter in my life I'm nowhere near used to yet. And it's exciting, don't you think?