Why I know customer service is in trouble. 06/21/2011
"Have a good one." I hear this almost every day- sometimes multiple times a day- and it always bothers me. Usually it's when I get my soup at lunch. I set the cup on the counter, the cashier rings me up, I say "Thank you," and they reply (without hesitation and with about as much enthusiasm as someone traveling to a wake), "Have a good one." 'Have a good one?' Really? Is that all you've got? For me, this is a sure sign that customer service, as a vocation, is in trouble. Service reps can't even muster a "Thank you for stopping by," or "Have a nice day." No... these would be too personal. Too committal. We can post our dirty laundry on social networks multiple times a day, citing whether we're single, in a relationship, feeling those "monthly" blues, hung-over, fearing an STD, and can't bother to utter a personal greeting or thank you? For me, I don't think it's about courtesy as much as it is insincerity. Do they really care if I have a good one? Do they care whether I have one at all? Next time maybe I should respond, "I do. I assure you." Just to see what they say. Nah. Too personal. Add Comment Happy Father's Day? 06/09/2011
I might not be a traditional father, but really, does a ratchet set signify fatherhood? I've been a dad (twice might I add) for over eight years now, and I've used ratchets only once (well, I didn't really use them, I gave them to my father-in-law to assemble my daughter's bike). Today, I saw a flyer in my local paper announcing Father's Day gifts. On the front page were ratchets, sockets, screwdrivers, weed-whackers, lawn mowers, and grills. I'm only interested in one of those- grills- and I have one, thank you very much. As I'm writing this, my 5 year old daughter summoned me upstairs to assist her with her nighttime routine. When I arrived to her bathroom, the counter around the sink resembled a shallow moat. I wondered, where was a giant sponge in the Father's day circular? Where was a pill that provided the patience of Job? Sears doesn't carry this, I assure you. So, what's my problem? Am I ungrateful for Father's day? Of course not, I love it and honor it. I simply think that others should, too. Is a tie a good Father's day gift? Only if dad likes ties. What about a new lawn mower? Only if dad can mow the lawn and drink a beer... or do nothing... or read a book without guilt. See, some dads like (and even want ratchets). I get it. However still more would appreciate some time to reflect on what it means to be a father. When I "poo-pooed" a ratchet set on my fact book page, my brother in law suggested that perhaps, instead, I wanted a "skirt." Although I love my brother-in-law, a skirt isn't what I want. All I need is some time to pause about what it means to be a dad- for me. And this is my point- being a dad is individual. Some dad's excel at being the team's soccer coach (I've never played soccer past middle school). Some dad's excel at fixing things (I had to hire a plumber after I "fixed" the toilet). Some dads are great at listening, drying tears, reviewing homework, cooking dinner, tucking in, and more. Yet, in today's newspaper flyers, I didn’t' see any ads for tissues, reading glasses, skillet, or sheets. I love being a dad. Even though sometimes I'm preoccupied, and say "yes" when my girls want to watch "another show" so that I can get some things finished, I love my role. I just don't want a ratchet set. First Post! 06/09/2011
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| Heath P. BoiceI am a writer, an husband, a father, an educator, a gardner, a soap opera junkie, an uncle, an innovator, and a son- not in that order. ArchivesCategories |
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