Sure, I've only called overseas customer service hotlines a few times but every time I am disappointed. I'm not disappointed in the service or anything; I'm just sad that they're not excited to hear from me. I'M CALLING FROM AUSTRALIA.
This is how I expect the conversation to go:
Them (in a flat voice): Welcome to (insert company name). How can I help you?
Me : Hi! My name's Emily and I'm calling from Australia!
Them (in over-the-top excitement): Wow! From Australia! I can't believe you're calling from Australia! That's so cool. You've totally made my day! Free shipping for you because you called all the way from Australia!
Me: Cool thanks! This is so awesome. Your accent is so cool.
Them: Thanks, so is yours. You sound awesome!
This is how the conversation actually goes:
Them (in a flat voice): Welcome to (insert company name). How can I help you?
Me (in over-the-top excitement): Hi! My name's Emily and I'm calling from Australia!
Them (still in flat voice): Hi Emily, how can I help you?
Me: Well I've just made an online order but there are some complications. It might be because I'm FROM AUSTRALIA.
Them (thoughts of 'fml' reflected in their voice): What's your order number please?
I feel so deflated after these calls.
I've travelled around a fair bit and have met a lot of unique people with interesting accents but I'm still fascinated by the idea of international calls. I think it's amazing, actually. We're in different time zones and different hemispheres, and yet we're able to overcome these differences just by a phone call.
Am I just lame for being easily impressed or are the customer service people specifically told to not show any emotions while working? I'm hoping that it's the latter - that they're also super surprised to hear my Australian accent and are trying their hardest to contain their excitement.
inside word is it's part of their training to sound deflated. Apparently they started out showing their true enthusiasm and then when they were inundated with calls from excited foreigners they had to change strategy...
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