The number of customer service representatives who, at the end of a phone call that you have begun by informing them that someone has died, will say, “Have a wonderful day.”
This struck me as very deep today. I work in customer service and though it is only the person’s place to do their job…it’s still feels so cold and inhuman. What has the world come to that there is no time to pause and reflect on someone’s feelings?
Lorna, thanks. I don’t blame the folks I talked to, though — I know there are scripts that they’re supposed to follow, and it’s hard to deviate from the scripts.
And Sara, thank you — I suspected it was not an uncommon experience.
Mim
March 5, 2008 at 10:51 am
Yeah, I remember that as well. It’s amazing how “on autopilot” we are at our jobs. One thing that just popped into my head, and I toss it out here as a suggestion… after my dad died, one of the things we did for my mom is buy a new mattress and have it delivered and the old one taken away, which somehow seemed an important symbolic thing for her to really recognize my dad was gone.
Tasha
March 5, 2008 at 10:57 am
Hi, Sara,
I just wanted to say that, as trite as it sounds, my thoughts are with you. I wish I could come up with better words to comfort and express empathy, but if they exist, I’ve never come across them.
Lorna Weis
March 4, 2008 at 7:29 amThis struck me as very deep today. I work in customer service and though it is only the person’s place to do their job…it’s still feels so cold and inhuman. What has the world come to that there is no time to pause and reflect on someone’s feelings?
Sara
March 4, 2008 at 6:29 pmThe same thing happened to me when my dad died. I’m glad I made the calls instead of my mom.
I’m very sorry for your loss.
Sara
March 5, 2008 at 8:49 amLorna, thanks. I don’t blame the folks I talked to, though — I know there are scripts that they’re supposed to follow, and it’s hard to deviate from the scripts.
And Sara, thank you — I suspected it was not an uncommon experience.
Mim
March 5, 2008 at 10:51 amYeah, I remember that as well. It’s amazing how “on autopilot” we are at our jobs. One thing that just popped into my head, and I toss it out here as a suggestion… after my dad died, one of the things we did for my mom is buy a new mattress and have it delivered and the old one taken away, which somehow seemed an important symbolic thing for her to really recognize my dad was gone.
Tasha
March 5, 2008 at 10:57 amHi, Sara,
I just wanted to say that, as trite as it sounds, my thoughts are with you. I wish I could come up with better words to comfort and express empathy, but if they exist, I’ve never come across them.
Sara
March 5, 2008 at 7:25 pmMim, it’s funny you should mention that specific thing — we actually did it already. :)
And thanks, Tasha.
Kristine
March 24, 2008 at 6:05 pmI’m so sorry. I haven’t had a chance to read your blog for a while because of school and didn’t know. hugs.