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Revealing all my hang-ups
EVERY few weeks or so, an Oriental gentleman from the other side of the globe calls me on my direct line at work, somehow slipping beneath the all-seeing radar that is my PA.
I know it's from the other side of the world because there's always a time delay before he says my name.
To be honest, he has a stab at my name, but it's a decent enough stab for me to confirm that it's me he's speaking to from his cramped cubicle in a faceless call centre somewhere far, far away.
"Today I have wonderful offer on your mobile phone for you" he'll enthuse, only to be crestfallen when I inform him I have a company mobile and that the eight billion free texts he's offering me would be rendered pointless by the fact that it takes me 18 minutes to send one text.
I deal with a great many call centres through work and domestic issues and for the most part, the people I have spoken to have been pleasant, professional and, obviously, keen to ensure I commit my business to them.
None of them have ever been unpleasant or difficult - whether I'm calling, Edinburgh, Mumbai or Bournemouth - and I have only ever once lost my cool.
Admittedly, that was a bit unfair because I was taking out my foul-mouthed frustration on a person representing the company I was about to abandon.
I know a few people who work at RIAS, the local insurance provider that specialises in policies for over-50s (an age group in to which I slipped unnoticed recently) and they're decent young people who work hard for their salaries.
It's also encouraging to see that the firm isn't afraid of taking a few oldies' either. I'm fairly honest and straight-talking on the phone... as my Oriental friend will doubtless testify.
10:27am Friday 16th May 2008
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