Wal*Farts

So yeah... I've never been a fan of this place. I have always hated the narrow aisles. I have always hated the cheap plastic carts that feel like they were designed for people 1/4 my size plus you can never find one with that 'good cart' feel; don't look surprised, you know exactly what I'm talking about!. I've always hated that the majority of people that shop in my area never have a full head of teeth. It has always been the epitome of what disgusts me.

Over-sized people.
Under-sized carts.
Over-sized lines.
Under-sized aisles.
Over-sized store.
Under-sized prices.

It is not just me, and it is probably the worst ratio of things to put into a store and market but women seem to love it. Just about every individual man I have ever talked to feels just about the same way. Plus, it never really felt right 'feeding the monster'.

Well, I guess someone there took note. We just had one of the Super-biggun-Wal*farts open up close to me. So, not only can you buy some clothes and unnecessary off-brand 3-lb bags of crunchies, but you can do it along with your regular shopping and auto parts. Oh yeah, and you can also pick up some electronics, flowers, and curtains to decorate your home, too! Yippie!

Jokes aside... this one has normal-people carts and aisles. There is enough room that I can steer clear of the behemoths that are frequent shoppers and their fe-mullets.

Next to that off-brand SPAM, you can actually find a Deli stocked with real meats and cheeses. Next to "Bob's VCR" you can find a legitimate Blu-ray player. And next to that gamble-of-a-box Spartans... you can buy a real gladiator in a Trojan.

So, I may still get that skin-crawling-I'm-going-to-catch-a-disease feeling when I walk in, at least I know I won't leave totally pissed off, which I guess is good enough for me.

Expectations of a Call Center Analyst

The phone rings and a call is logged. Having called into many different call centers, and worked on four in my life; I will try to accurately depict my outlook on the way a help desk ticket lives within a business. Know now that this is merely my opinion and is based in my reality, alone.

From an end user, or customer, stand point, I typically call in frustrated that whatever it is I am trying to do is not working. I know my tone comes across agitated and annoyed. I expect that the person on the other end of the phone will not only be able to deal with this, but do so with an audible smile.

From a technician, or analyst, stand point, I answer the phone with my best ‘voice’ on; something someone close to me calls “giving good phone”. I know that the person on the other end of the phone has been set back in what ever they are doing due to a technical problem. I expect that they will be upset and frustrated, and expect that I am both savvy and courteous.

This is the way that all of my dealings go, and the way I will always expect them to transpire. Despite this knowledge, I still find myself dreading both ends of the transaction. I suppose that I should take respite in the fact that most of incoming calls I can handle, or at least know where to turn for assistance. I suppose my expectations should remain the same.