Office Miss(ed) Manners 1
Thursday, June 01, 2006
obviously, there are still people out there who still do not know that if there's someone in a company/office that you have to be nice with when trying to request for an appointment or to have a proposal accommodated, it's the SECRETARY or the ASSISTANT.
this i repeatedly realize everytime i encounter a pompous, seemingly know-it-all, arrogant person whether on the phone or up-close.
i am thankful to my mother, who has been an executive secretary (and great at it!) for as long as i can remember, for the gift of putting people in their rightful place with words as sharp as a samurai's sword, often one-liners. but i have added something special to make it my trademark: a tone so dry, it's dripping with sarcasm.
i know, i know. i'm bad.
but only if you are! let's make that clear, shall we?
case in point: this afternoon, i got a call from a lady who we shall call Ms. M:
Ms. M: Hello, good afternoon, Is Mr. F (my boss) in?
notice that she hasn't even introduced herself. a big no-no!
Me: And may I know who THIS is please?
Ms. M: Oh, this is Ms. M, Mr. Bean told me to call your office and look for Mr. F.
Me: I'm sorry mam, he's not in. Would you like to leave a message?
Ms. M: Okay, it's like this. I'm from XYZ Company, and Mr. Bean just told me to get in touch with Mr. F.
I'm already tapping my fingers here.
Me: Yes mam, do you have a proposal?
Ms. M: Yes...
Me: And what is your company profile mam? What is your proposal?
Ms. M: We're into insurance. What time is Mr. F coming back?
Me: I'm not sure mam. Would you like to leave a number so I can get back to you?
Ms. M: a bit of silence...No, it's okay, I'll just tell Mr. Bean, then we'll just go there together.
Me: I'll still have to set the appointment mam.
Ms. M: Oh, I thought Mr. Bean could just go there anytime.
blood rushing to my head
Me: dry and dripping... DRY AND DRIP-DRIP-DRIPPING...No mam, we still have schedules to follow, YOU KNOW.
Ms. Me: Oh, I didn't know that (oh you didn't, huh?). Okay, I'll just call again. (we'll see about that...)
Me: Okay. Bye.
I put the phone down before she could say anything else.
remember, be nice to the assistant!
6 Comments:
- At 9:09 PM, June 01, 2006, said...
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Some people just place too much importance in themselves don't they?
I hope I don't run into you on the other line, haha. :-D - At 1:02 AM, June 02, 2006, Sharleen said...
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i can just so relate to this post!
worse, if the caller is "hambog" and stupid!!! AAGGGHHH!!! if only i can just hang up on them!! *weeevil biatch* - At 10:50 AM, June 02, 2006, vina said...
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hi SNGLGUY! be afraaaaid, be very afraaaaaid...
hehe, kung di mo ako uunahan, i won't bite naman.
hi SHAR! oo nga, you have your own share of pesky callers... - At 8:34 PM, June 02, 2006, vina said...
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hi ERIC! you're right! at international pa talaga ang clientele nila...
- At 11:56 PM, June 04, 2006, said...
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I also hate it when people call (even at home) and don't introduce themselves first hand. As if I can recognize everybody's voices.
- At 3:50 PM, June 05, 2006, vina said...
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hi NICEHEART! thanks for visiting!
i know what you mean, but even if i do recognize the voice, i feign knowlege and still ask for the name, hehe. i won't give them the satisfaction of getting away with forgetting proper phone etiquette!