In Defence Of Call Centres - I.P.

Cherry

By luigi_pagano

Sun, 16 Jan 2011
  • 3316 reads
14 comments
 

I learnt that they call me naïve
for saying call centres are great.
Yet most of my friends believe
that they are objects of hate.

I don’t know why people fuss.
I feel proud whenever I am told:
‘Your call is important to us’,
even though they put me on hold.

I can listen to a most pleasant tune
while I wait and the operator leaves
and don’t find it at all importune
that it is a refrain of ‘Greensleeves’.

I wonder if they’d accept a request,
I would like to hear some Rossini,
(the ‘Thieving Magpie’ would be best)
while, unshaken, I sip a Martini.

I give credit where credit is due,
they are eager and keen to point out
that my call is next in the queue;
their politeness is never in doubt.

I have all the time in the world
and don’t see why I need to cuss
plus I love those magical words:
‘Your call is important to us’.

© Luigi Pagano 2011

Certificate U
Poem
Cherry ripe
Humour

Comments

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
Nice one, Luigi. My dad would approve;-) Tina xxx

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on
Is he a Rossini or a Martini man, Tina? Or both? Thanks for reading. Luigi xxx PS If at first you don't succeed...

 

Submitted by Cavalcader on
new Luigi-Pagano Read it all very good and so polite! I wouldn't be. julie xxx

Submitted by luigi_pagano on
I know what you mean, Julie. Dealing with some call centres can be very infuriating. Luigi xxx

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
Both...definitely, Luigi!! And as to your PS, I'm pretty sure there's nothing 'worn-out' as far as your tools are concerned; word-smith that you most definitely are;-) Tina xxx

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on
Thanks Tina. Do you remember that old gas advert, 'I wish I had your confidence, Sidney'? That's how I feel at the moment. Luigi xxx

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on
Thanks for the cherries, editors. My confidence has been restored.

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
Like a dog with two-tails, me;-) Well done, Luigi. It seems you never did say never. And yes, I do remember that ad, I blush to admit!! Tina xxx

 

Submitted by seashore on
Very tongue-in-cheek Luigi. I liked the way you turned the whole theme on its head.

Submitted by luigi_pagano on
Cheers seashore. I tried the other approach and it didn't work so I thought that I would pretend to play the devil's advocate. What was etched in my mind was that phrase 'Your call is important to us' that is repeated ad nauseam while you are kept hanging on for twenty minutes or more and which becomes meaningless after repetitions. Pleased you enjoyed this piece and thank you for letting me know. Luigi x

 

Submitted by fatboy74 on
Very good Luigi, I actually don't mind waiting on the phone and usually pick up a book (which I am rarely allowed to do normally). I quite like the idea where you could press a button to get the music of your choice, pretty sure they could do that easily. Congrats on cherry.:-)

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on
I couldn't concentrate on a book, fatboy74, as I would be counting the minutes and, like the miser that I am, worrying about the size of the telephone bill. I like listening to music but what we get on these automated phones is not necessarily what I would choose, hence my suggestion. Nice to hear from you and thanks for the comment.

 

Submitted by Cavalcader on
new Luigi_Pagano Good one for (IP) H! Yes,like it especially as turned around if I may say so. My friend went into hospital way back. I phoned up his name difficult spell or pronounce,I tried, put me onto A an E.Checked name no one here,Spell it again? so back to the switchboard again re-tried spell ah! yes found it now then put through to the ward. Baffles me.When I was about twenty I worked on switchboard with dolly eyes, never had an answer machine or pressing all the keys. The eye ball dropped down as one pulled out the plug. julie xx .

Submitted by luigi_pagano on
Dear Julie, I remember the good old days when we had switchboards which were manned efficiently by pretty girls. Nowadays the human contact has been lost and the new technology makes things much more difficult. Take care. Luigi xx