Wrong name, wrong time...
Since I don't really have much interesting to write about today, I thought I'd roll out a short story from the past that you might find entertaining. I've been thinking about doing these kind of 'back in the day' stories for a while now and since I've got nothing else today, here you go.
These are all going to be old stories, recounted as best as I remember them. Memory might have blurred a few details, but the stories are true. I'm pretty sure the statute of limitations has passed on these occurrences, so I'm going to guess that they are safe to tell you about.
This is a true story. It's a quick one. Hope you like it.
I used to work in software technical support. What a fucked up job that is. You learn a lot about troubleshooting computer problems, but man do you get some screwed up calls. Here's a jem:
Me: Thanks for calling [company name] technical support, this is Ernie, can I help you?
Caller: (angrily) WHAT??
Me: Ah, hi thanks for calling [company name] technical support. My name is Ernie. Is there something I can help you with?
Caller: (angrier) What the FUCK did you just say to me?
Me: This is [company] technical support can I help you?
Caller: What the FUCK is your name?
Me: My name is Ernie. I'm not really sure what the problem is. Is there something I can help you with?
Caller: Is this some kind of FUCKING joke??
Me: Um, no, it's not. Are you having some problems with your system?
Caller: Let me talk to your FUCKING boss...
Me: (incredulous) Ok sir...
I put this whack-job on hold and called my boss. I explained to him that there was a customer on the phone who was pissed off and swearing at me.
Sounding tired, my boss asked me, 'What did you do this time?'
'Nothing!'
I was known for being a bit too 'blunt' with customers at times, but in this case I had no idea what I had done wrong.
The boss let out a sigh and in a beaten down voice said, 'ok. transfer him over...'
I transfered whack-job and moved on to the next call. When I finished I went over to the boss' cube and asked what the hell was up with that guy I had sent him.
My boss explained, 'Apparently his name was Ernie and he thought you were making fun of him or something when you answered the phone and told him your name was Ernie.'
What the fuck. Welcome to technical support.