You dial the
number. The phone rings three times. A recording on the other end of
the line says, “Your call is important to us. Please stay on the
line.” I am going to assume for a minute that I am the only person
that has had this often frustrating experience. If it were really
important, why is there not a live person on the other end of the
line? I know, it’s the economy and during difficult financial time,
customer service takes the back seat.
Each day we hear
and maybe use a number of these meaningless phrases. Here are several
of my favorites.
“I am from the
government and I am here to help!” Are you kidding me? What has
government done for me to make my life easier? The intentions may be
good and honorable, but the reality is a far different outcome. I
like the word ‘honorable’.
“The check is
in the mail,” or it sure will be as soon as I get off the phone. To
avoid a confrontation, you may have actually used this phrase
yourself on occasion. It’s called a delay tactic. Given the benefit
of the doubt, you may have truly forgotten to send the check. Now,
race to the mailbox.
I recently
overheard this discussion in an aisle at Wal-Mart. Two people had
just met and it was obvious they had not seen each other for some
time. “Let’s do lunch sometime!” “Sure.” As one walked
past me, I heard her mumble. “Like that’ll happen in this
century!”
One of my
favorites. “The buck stops here!” The implication is that the
person you may be speaking with actually has the authority to do
something. Truthfully, I find it hard to believe, especially when the
next response is something about having to the manager’s approval.
These are often
used as a group. “That’s a really good question. I’ll have to
check into it and get back to you. Can I call you later?” Now what
are you going to say to that? “No?” I don’t think so.
The
health industry is taking a great deal of criticism these days. In
some cases, the criticism is unwarranted. But every once and
awhile….! A quick call to the doctor and “take two aspirin and
call me in the morning” may tell me someone is late for a tee time
at the golf course.
Staying with the
medical theme for just a moment, I can remember taking my children to
the doctor for a shot and the child being told that “this won’t
hurt a bit.” Was the nurse talking about the shot or the force with
which she grabbed their arm?
Love is not
exempt from these meaningless phrases. “I’ll still love you in
the morning if you will....!” At least one time in almost every
teenage boy’s life these word may have rolled off his tongue. What
was on his mind?
So here’s the
deal. You read this column and I’ll call you later to get your
opinion.
