On communication, professional and otherwise.
Customer service code-switching:
Upon being told by the service man at my local Motoworks motorcycle shop that my rear brake caliper is “all seized up,” doubling my spring maintenance bill, I did some socio-normative math in my head, in real time. I realized that since this was a motorcycle shop, it was perfectly acceptable to respond in a way that I wouldn’t respond to a customer service person at Chase bank, at Verizon—or even at the Subaru dealership.
“Fuck!”
“Yeah, I hear ya,” he replied.
Called Chase bank one morning last week because the website wouldn’t let me pay off our corporate credit card balance.
Tried it one more time, just as the customer service rep, Michael, came on the line to ask how he could help me.
“Actually, I’m good,” I explained, “the site just let me pay off my card!”
“You’ve made me happiest man in the world,” Michael said. “That site has been down for three hours.”
“I’m glad to be of service,” I said. “Michael, is there anything else I can help you with?”
“I don’t think so,” Michael said.
“Well, thanks for your business,” I said, “and have a nice day.”
If it’s cool enough for my teenager daughter Scout, it’s plenty cool enough for you. Get thee to the SpeechwriterSwag online store and get yourself some springtime stuff!
