Made To Order

This weekend my friends who run an orphanage in Guatemala came to visit, and I came across an interesting thought. We were ordering lunch and every single one of us changed something that we ordered. You know, the “I’ll have the turkey wrap without the bacon” type of alterations that almost everyone is accustomed to making here in the United States. I do it all the time.

It was only when my friend began to share with me that you can’t order your food like this in Guatemala that I began to really think about what this “custom order” mentality means in terms of the digital age. We are truly catered to as consumers in this country. The marketability of products depends upon our demands. And, to a point this is a good thing. We see a need, and there are people out there who make it their life’s ambition to fulfill that need (more like make a profit off of it, but whatever). On the other hand, I feel spoiled sitting across from this woman who has committed her life to caring for these orphaned children, living her life without many of the comforts that I take for granted. I feel like I’m endangered of becoming too engaged in technology and of being disengaged from the needs that I see around me. There’s a big difference between seeing a need on TV and actually getting out there and helping people. Life’s tough…get a helmet. Go out and make a difference.

Customer Disservice

11:30am – I place a call to Toys R’ Us. I’m put on hold, of course. By the time I actually get to speak to another human being I’m beginning to forget why I called in the first place. I manage to explain to the gentleman on the other end of the line that I’m calling to find out if they carry the classic India version of Parcheesi (It’s a birthday present I assure you). I’m put on hold, again. Of course. I remain on hold for over five minutes…5 MINUTES!!!... only to here this: “Mam, I’m sorry. What were you calling about again?” I am so infuriated that I can hardly speak. I respond with a prompt click, putting an end to this complete and utter waste of my time.

So, what is so hard to get, people? Customer Service. SERVING customers. That is your job. It boggles my mind as to why 90% of the customer service people that I come in contact with either don’t do their job or are completely miserable while doing it. Why is this tolerated? Even I have come to accept the fact that I’m going to probably have to deal with a completely wretched human being if, God forbid, I have to exchange a shirt or return some jeans. Granted, it’s not the most glamorous job on the planet, but neither is watching kids who pick their noses and don’t wash their hands after they use the bathroom. It’s no excuse to not do your job. Life’s tough….get a helmet.