Toyman01 wrote:aussiesmg wrote: Back in the day whilst working the watch house at the local PD I was known to have answered the phone with the following: "City Morgue, spare parts department."I thought that was supposed to be, "City Morgue, you stab them, we slab them."
My version was more to see if anybody even listened to who was there, very few ever just laughed.
Remember all emergency calls were made to the "000" line (like the US 911) so it wasn't dealing with the serious stuff.
I love the fact that I answer the phone "Parts, this is Bob, how can I help you?" and usually get the "Is Bob there" or "Who is this"? 9 out of 10 times. Do people even listen to what anyone says?
It's been said, but the rude person is the one who does not identify themselves first.
When I call a business I say my name and company, then ask for the person I want.
(90% of the time the receptionist asks for my name again, but that's a different issue.)
But back to the original post, it's insane to think someone would pass on a phone call without asking the caller to identify themselves. You would have to seriously question why the caller would hesitate at all to identify themselves.
Not only should the person who answers the phone identify at least the company that was called, but the caller should identify themselves and why they are calling without having to be asked.
"Hello, this is GRM, Brett speaking, how may I help you?":
"This is Bob from Jersey Mike's subs. May I speak with Tim about his order?"
Perfect. Now not only can I tell Tim who is calling, but WHY they are calling.
I even answer my personal phone with: "Hello, this is Brett."
EastCoastMojo wrote: The only thing that's changed is that many people are not gifted with intellect or manners these days. I see no issues with your staffs phone protocol. Carry on my friend.
^ This
Toyman01 wrote: Life is too short to deal with people like that. I just hang up on them. Some customers just aren't worth them money. They are welcome to call my boss.
The saying at my brother's business is, "The customer is always right. But, not every customer needs to be our customer."
I refuse to answer work phones. My resume says precisely that. If I want to talk to someone, I will call them.
Toyman01 wrote: Life is too short to deal with people like that. I just hang up on them. Some customers just aren't worth them money. They are welcome to call my boss.
and if they call your boss, they'll still have to identify themselves 
On the other hand, I hate businesses that answer the phone with such a rapid fire delivery that I don't even know who I called. Unfortunately I have to interview quite a few people and the phone (and time card) is the bane of my existence. I am well familiar with having to identify myself and I have no problem with doing it.
Can someone clarify why "Ma'am" is rude? That's a new one to me.
DILYSI Dave wrote: Can someone clarify why "Ma'am" is rude? That's a new one to me.
Same reason people get offended about a lot of things, they want to be.
a woman once yelled at me ... "don't f**n call me ma'am" ... my reply was out of my mouth before I had time to think/consider what I was saying ... "yes Ma-am"
she really seemed pissed 
wbjones wrote:Toyman01 wrote: Life is too short to deal with people like that. I just hang up on them. Some customers just aren't worth them money. They are welcome to call my boss.and if they call your boss, they'll still have to identify themselves
If they call my boss, they will still have to talk to me.
DILYSI Dave wrote: Can someone clarify why "Ma'am" is rude? That's a new one to me.
My wife says it makes her feel old.
Any woman with a badge and a uniform (mall cops excluded) gets "Ma'am" from me until told otherwise.
DILYSI Dave wrote: Can someone clarify why "Ma'am" is rude? That's a new one to me.
A wise man on the GRM forum once said, "You are witnessing the pussification of America."
Deleted for content. Maam,
Trans_Maro wrote: My wife says it makes her feel old.
I can see that I guess. I feel old when someone busts out 'Sir.' (But I don't get mad at them or anything)
We train our folks along the lines of Emily Post. Typically "Good Morning, this is xxx, how may I help you?" Since it's healthcare, if you don't identify yourself, your call isn't going anywhere. We also have an expectation that our folks answer their phones (within 3 rings). People hate auto operators, so if you care about your customers, why would you put them through that?
Toyman01 wrote:wbjones wrote:If they call my boss, they will still have to talk to me.Toyman01 wrote: Life is too short to deal with people like that. I just hang up on them. Some customers just aren't worth them money. They are welcome to call my boss.and if they call your boss, they'll still have to identify themselves
Yeah, I've met your boss. He's a butthead. 
wbjones wrote: a woman once yelled at me ... "don't f**n call me ma'am" ... my reply was out of my mouth before I had time to think/consider what I was saying ... "yes Ma-am" she really seemed pissed
lol I worked as tech support in a call center for a while... Ma'am and Sir was standard affair for me... even when I was talking to a kid (not infrequent in latino areas as they where the only one in the house that knew technology and/or spoke english...
I was always amused when someone took offense to the Ma'am... but for some reason while on the phone I had a fairly heavy southern drawl on some words and I think that gave me a bit of a pass for some...
in the end people are stupid and inconsiderate... 
I find it sad that a person would be offended by being asked to identify themselves. It's not that odd a question to ask a caller. Likewise actually being offended by being called Ma'am or Sir. I guess people want to be treated as more of a familiar rather than a formal these days.
Some people just want to watch the world burn.
I was raised in a Southern home where it was considered good form to show respect to others and civility is king. That meant yes sir, no sir, yes ma'am no ma'am etc and it's an integral part of both my upbringing and Southern culture. So far I have not had anyone freak over being called ma'am, not looking forward to the day it inevitably happens.
It is weird in one way, though: typically people of approximately the same age can skip the honorifics except in a business setting. Once there is a certain obvious difference in age 'sir' and 'ma'am' come into play in all situations and the first time I got called 'sir' by some cute young thang it was a sign that I was no longer considered a threat to younger women. A sad day indeed. 
Musta been the gray hair.
Toyman01 wrote:wbjones wrote:If they call my boss, they will still have to talk to me.Toyman01 wrote: Life is too short to deal with people like that. I just hang up on them. Some customers just aren't worth them money. They are welcome to call my boss.and if they call your boss, they'll still have to identify themselves
Years ago- I managed a retail outlet that specialized in skate clothing. As a result, I had a lot of angry parents that tended to show up and bitch when little Johnny burned up his 85$ pair of DVS shoes in like... a month. Kids skate a lot- it happens. One woman in particular was VERY upset when I told her that- demanded to speak with the boss. My tag said "manager" on it, and I had the additional managerial tag on to signify I was in fact, not only the manager, but the manager in charge that shift. So- I walked in back, turned my hat around, moved the "manager in charge" tag to the other side of my lanyard, and walked back out. She was unamused. Everyone else thought it was funny as hell.
TRoglodyte wrote: Whats an etiquette?
Some french car I think. Citroen perhaps?
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