Comments on: Get to the Point, Callers http://www.liveworkdream.com/2008/04/29/ask-dumb-questions-get-a-cranky-answer/ Working to find the dream life. Fri, 16 May 2008 05:30:26 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.2 By: Perks for Housekeeping Workampers at Riverbend Lodging Resort http://www.liveworkdream.com/2008/04/29/ask-dumb-questions-get-a-cranky-answer/#comment-2172 Perks for Housekeeping Workampers at Riverbend Lodging Resort Sat, 10 May 2008 21:20:21 +0000 http://www.liveworkdream.com/2008/04/29/ask-dumb-questions-get-a-cranky-answer/#comment-2172 [...] best thing about our Riverbend gig had to be the people. Oh, and the water. Working the desk there, we met the most genuine, caring, open, friendly and interesting people. In the whole time we [...] […] best thing about our Riverbend gig had to be the people. Oh, and the water. Working the desk there, we met the most genuine, caring, open, friendly and interesting people. In the whole time we […]

]]> By: Rene http://www.liveworkdream.com/2008/04/29/ask-dumb-questions-get-a-cranky-answer/#comment-2098 Rene Sun, 04 May 2008 04:48:18 +0000 http://www.liveworkdream.com/2008/04/29/ask-dumb-questions-get-a-cranky-answer/#comment-2098 Ariadne, YOU are a saint! I just don't have that kind of patience. Wish there was more people like you out there in the world Ariadne, YOU are a saint! I just don’t have that kind of patience. Wish there was more people like you out there in the world

]]> By: Ariadne from Simple Living http://www.liveworkdream.com/2008/04/29/ask-dumb-questions-get-a-cranky-answer/#comment-2083 Ariadne from Simple Living Sat, 03 May 2008 18:43:22 +0000 http://www.liveworkdream.com/2008/04/29/ask-dumb-questions-get-a-cranky-answer/#comment-2083 Sorry you didn't enjoy your receptionist duties! Now retired, but most of my jobs ("career", if you will) have been front desk/info assitant for government agencies (national forests, primarily). And I loved every minute of it! My job, I figured, was to make the public feel as good, or better, about their government when they left as when the came in. And it's not hard ... talking to people, finding out what they want to do, what kind of RV they have, etc. etc. .... even talking about where they came from. Taking time with them. Anything to find a commonality, and it was well worth it. Yes, I had my share of angry people for one reason or other and the random oddball questions -- one woman who called our office (in Washington State) in early spring and asked if I knew when the roads in Yellowstone were open. I was taken aback for a moment, then I said "How in the world would I know that???" -- we both laughed and she apologized because she didn't know who else to call, and I found the phone number for her and she was happy. One person called and wanted to know where the nearest Belgium Embassy was - I figured Seattle. I would stay late for people when they couldn't make it by closing time, and often took things to people after we'd closed when they couldn't get in. It's all about Public Service, with a smile, and meaning it! Good times and good memories. I'd do it again in an instant, if I were 20 years younger ... :-D ... Sorry you didn’t enjoy your receptionist duties! Now retired, but most of my jobs (”career”, if you will) have been front desk/info assitant for government agencies (national forests, primarily). And I loved every minute of it! My job, I figured, was to make the public feel as good, or better, about their government when they left as when the came in. And it’s not hard … talking to people, finding out what they want to do, what kind of RV they have, etc. etc. …. even talking about where they came from. Taking time with them. Anything to find a commonality, and it was well worth it. Yes, I had my share of angry people for one reason or other and the random oddball questions — one woman who called our office (in Washington State) in early spring and asked if I knew when the roads in Yellowstone were open. I was taken aback for a moment, then I said “How in the world would I know that???” — we both laughed and she apologized because she didn’t know who else to call, and I found the phone number for her and she was happy. One person called and wanted to know where the nearest Belgium Embassy was - I figured Seattle. I would stay late for people when they couldn’t make it by closing time, and often took things to people after we’d closed when they couldn’t get in. It’s all about Public Service, with a smile, and meaning it!

Good times and good memories. I’d do it again in an instant, if I were 20 years younger … :-D …

]]> By: Brain http://www.liveworkdream.com/2008/04/29/ask-dumb-questions-get-a-cranky-answer/#comment-2059 Brain Fri, 02 May 2008 17:05:16 +0000 http://www.liveworkdream.com/2008/04/29/ask-dumb-questions-get-a-cranky-answer/#comment-2059 Rene, I am sure your two creative minds will find a way to automate the phone system to answer most questions, refer people to your website and screen out the not-so-serious callers. You have the skills to overcome this issue! Surely you took calls at the printing business? Don't let this deter you from dreaming your "impossible dream". A note for Jim, I love the way, even when far away on the road, your father-in-law still corrects your inaccuracies! Very amusing. Hope all is well! Rene, I am sure your two creative minds will find a way to automate the phone system to answer most questions, refer people to your website and screen out the not-so-serious callers. You have the skills to overcome this issue! Surely you took calls at the printing business? Don’t let this deter you from dreaming your “impossible dream”.

A note for Jim, I love the way, even when far away on the road, your father-in-law still corrects your inaccuracies! Very amusing. Hope all is well!

]]> By: el jefe http://www.liveworkdream.com/2008/04/29/ask-dumb-questions-get-a-cranky-answer/#comment-2050 el jefe Fri, 02 May 2008 01:09:46 +0000 http://www.liveworkdream.com/2008/04/29/ask-dumb-questions-get-a-cranky-answer/#comment-2050 being run through the "wringer" refers to the antiquated washing machines that us "oldies" grew up with!, the featured a device consisting of 2 rubber rollers spring loaded together which you ran the wet clothes through to "wring" the water out of them, too many times they also wrung your hand right up to the elbow! fyi-------------- welcome ! being run through the “wringer” refers to the antiquated washing machines that us “oldies” grew up with!, the featured a device consisting of 2 rubber rollers spring loaded together which you ran the wet clothes through to “wring” the water out of them, too many times they also wrung your hand right up to the elbow! fyi————– welcome !

]]> By: hitek homeless http://www.liveworkdream.com/2008/04/29/ask-dumb-questions-get-a-cranky-answer/#comment-2047 hitek homeless Fri, 02 May 2008 00:29:19 +0000 http://www.liveworkdream.com/2008/04/29/ask-dumb-questions-get-a-cranky-answer/#comment-2047 Oh, the memories this brings back. Try working for a small computer repair shop and having 'customers' call you because one time, a long time ago, you fixed their PC. Now, they have forgotten how to use a mouse and/or want you to walk them through some obscure piece of software... for free of course. Makes you wonder how you stomached that first low-paying 'real job' doesn't it? Oh, the memories this brings back. Try working for a small computer repair shop and having ‘customers’ call you because one time, a long time ago, you fixed their PC. Now, they have forgotten how to use a mouse and/or want you to walk them through some obscure piece of software… for free of course. Makes you wonder how you stomached that first low-paying ‘real job’ doesn’t it?

]]> By: Shannon http://www.liveworkdream.com/2008/04/29/ask-dumb-questions-get-a-cranky-answer/#comment-2042 Shannon Thu, 01 May 2008 20:03:06 +0000 http://www.liveworkdream.com/2008/04/29/ask-dumb-questions-get-a-cranky-answer/#comment-2042 I hear you on the 'talking with the public' thing. I write for a TV station's website and my boss recently updated the "Contact Us" page and included the web staff phone number. Now we're getting all kinds of calls from the general public... old ladies upset that we pre-empted their soap for breaking news, old men upset with Bush, people who can't find links we talked about in the newscast, people who were interviewed by a TV reporter and want the clip on the web so they can show all their friends and family... etc., etc. It's driving me absolutely crazy! Don't tell my boss, but I've let the phone go to voicemail a few times just to get some peace. I hear you on the ‘talking with the public’ thing. I write for a TV station’s website and my boss recently updated the “Contact Us” page and included the web staff phone number. Now we’re getting all kinds of calls from the general public… old ladies upset that we pre-empted their soap for breaking news, old men upset with Bush, people who can’t find links we talked about in the newscast, people who were interviewed by a TV reporter and want the clip on the web so they can show all their friends and family… etc., etc. It’s driving me absolutely crazy! Don’t tell my boss, but I’ve let the phone go to voicemail a few times just to get some peace.

]]> By: Rene http://www.liveworkdream.com/2008/04/29/ask-dumb-questions-get-a-cranky-answer/#comment-2035 Rene Thu, 01 May 2008 00:47:36 +0000 http://www.liveworkdream.com/2008/04/29/ask-dumb-questions-get-a-cranky-answer/#comment-2035 Oh come on Sissy, I know you pick up the phone as part of YOUR job, but you work for the county for cryin' out loud! You only have to talk to nerdy engineers, you don't get the ding dongs and wierdos that private businesses get. Oh come on Sissy, I know you pick up the phone as part of YOUR job, but you work for the county for cryin’ out loud! You only have to talk to nerdy engineers, you don’t get the ding dongs and wierdos that private businesses get.

]]> By: Sissy4 http://www.liveworkdream.com/2008/04/29/ask-dumb-questions-get-a-cranky-answer/#comment-2033 Sissy4 Wed, 30 Apr 2008 23:43:34 +0000 http://www.liveworkdream.com/2008/04/29/ask-dumb-questions-get-a-cranky-answer/#comment-2033 Jeepers, first desk job in almost a year and you're already losing it? You say "excuse me, let me take your name and number and I'll get right back to you with that information" then you handle the real people. Then call them back. & what about caller ID and/or an answering machine? You have to remember inquiries mean $$ most of the time :) R u drinking too much coffee? xxxooo Jeepers, first desk job in almost a year and you’re already losing it? You say “excuse me, let me take your name and number and I’ll get right back to you with that information” then you handle the real people. Then call them back. & what about caller ID and/or an answering machine? You have to remember inquiries mean $$ most of the time :)

R u drinking too much coffee?
xxxooo

]]> By: Rene http://www.liveworkdream.com/2008/04/29/ask-dumb-questions-get-a-cranky-answer/#comment-2032 Rene Wed, 30 Apr 2008 22:46:25 +0000 http://www.liveworkdream.com/2008/04/29/ask-dumb-questions-get-a-cranky-answer/#comment-2032 I really do enjoy the resort part, it's just picking up the phone that sucks. I'd much rather be talking to people face to face. I really do enjoy the resort part, it’s just picking up the phone that sucks. I’d much rather be talking to people face to face.

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