Communication FUNdamentals

Aug. 21, 2006

I have a cordless phone and I know how to use it!

Due to a rather busy weekend, I wasn't able to post a blog entry.  I do hope you do not find yourself in need of a 12 step program for humor withdrawal! There were quite a number of communication faux pas around our house this weekend.  I relate them to you here for your amusement and confusement! Friday was a very interesting day.  After 2 1/2 months of getting nowhere with my cable company, I decided to call the Corporate Office out of sheer desperation!  It is amazing what happens when you call the Vice President in charge of Pissed Off People!  Well, that's not his actual title, but I guess you could say that was his job description.  I never did get to speak with him, but he did, indeed, delegate a return call to the Jr VP of POP.  She promised me that she would give our account a Stay of Execution until the Technical Ops Manager had a chance to diagnose the problem.  He called me to set up a time to come out and change out our cable box for one that doesn't BUZZ (now why didn't I think of that?!)  and to diagnose the telephone and internet issues we have (Well come on down and join the club!).  He assured me that the account would be on hold until he had a chance to come out on Tuesday.  After all, I shouldn't have to pay for bad service.  I received about 6 phone calls that day from various people just checking to see how things were coming along.  MY!!  I think that's called CUSTOMER SERVICE!  I think I remember when people used to do things like that....back when I was a child!  I was fascinated by the treatment you get when you are a "Valued Customer" as opposed to "Just Another Complaint Caller".  People actually listened to me and heard!  And DID something in response...that actually made some SENSE!  Ok so I am just waiting for Tuesday when this whole nightmare could be over!  Just have to ....hold on ....til .... T U E S D A Y.............................................. Ok so Saturday we saw the group of Friendly Neighborhood Hoodlums out for a 2am stroll on private property to..."Socialize"?   That must be it!  They were comparing Machizmo and taking the dog for a walk.  The subject of "Tagging" came up and my dh thought they might be the same "Artists" who had done the interesting mural on the containers the builders use for new home construction.  We called 911 to report it.  Half way through the phone call our cable company misinterpreted my dh's speaking for a command to hang up and our 911 call was disconnected.  Not wanting to call back, we waited and watched.  Along came a police car. Being inexperienced hoodlums, they were actually intimidated by one police car and promptly hid behind the container as the police officer drove down and back up the street.  My dh met him on our street when he came around and told him where they were hiding.  Our "Social Butterflies" began walking back up the street to leave the neighborhood when the police car caught up with them to "chat".  What an impression one police car sweep of the street can make.  Now our Nighttime Neighborhood Socialites will think twice before believing nobody lives here and they are, therefore, free to vandalize as they please! A little intimidation, my friends, is a very effective tool!  This morning, I find myself cable-less.  Despite the assurances of three top level managers and/or VPs of POP, my cable company has cut off my son's lifeline to the world of cartoons!  Whatever will we do?  Thankfully, they saw fit to leave my business with the internet and phone in place such as they are.  Dear Lord, Help me to see the humor in the situations that have no solutions.  Give me the wisdom to change that which is in my non techie power and the cordless phone to make a difference! From JoJo's Purple Crayon...            Don't let your child graduate without the Art of Eloquence. Christian Speech Communication FUNdamentals. Because talk is cheap, but effective communication skills are priceless!

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