I learnt that they call me naïve
for saying call centres are great.
Yet most of my friends believe
that they are objects of hate.
I don’t know why people fuss.
I feel proud whenever I am told:
‘Your call is important to us’,
even though they put me on hold.
I can listen to a most pleasant tune
while I wait and the operator leaves
and don’t find it at all importune
that it is a refrain of ‘Greensleeves’.
I wonder if they’d accept a request,
I would like to hear some Rossini,
(the ‘Thieving Magpie’ would be best)
while, unshaken, I sip a Martini.
I give credit where credit is due,
they are eager and keen to point out
that my call is next in the queue;
their politeness is never in doubt.
I have all the time in the world
and don’t see why I need to cuss
plus I love those magical words:
‘Your call is important to us’.
© Luigi Pagano 2011
Comments
Silver Spun Sand | January 16, 2011 - 14:30
Nice one, Luigi. My dad would approve;-)
Tina xxx
Cavalcaderl | January 16, 2011 - 15:02
new Luigi-Pagano
Read it all very good
and so polite! I wouldn't be.
julie xxx
luigi_pagano | January 16, 2011 - 15:33
Is he a Rossini or a Martini man, Tina? Or both?
Thanks for reading.
Luigi xxx
PS If at first you don't succeed...
luigi_pagano | January 16, 2011 - 15:34
I know what you mean, Julie. Dealing with some call centres can be very infuriating.
Luigi xxx
Silver Spun Sand | January 16, 2011 - 15:37
Both...definitely, Luigi!!
And as to your PS, I'm pretty sure there's nothing 'worn-out' as far as your tools are concerned; word-smith that you most definitely are;-)
Tina xxx
luigi_pagano | January 16, 2011 - 15:50
Thanks Tina. Do you remember that old gas advert, 'I wish I had your confidence, Sidney'? That's how I feel at the moment.
Luigi xxx
luigi_pagano | January 16, 2011 - 16:00
Thanks for the cherries, editors. My confidence has been restored.
Silver Spun Sand | January 16, 2011 - 16:03
Like a dog with two-tails, me;-) Well done, Luigi. It seems you never did say never.
And yes, I do remember that ad, I blush to admit!!
Tina xxx
SundaysChild | January 16, 2011 - 20:25
Excellent- really made me laugh :)
luigi_pagano | January 16, 2011 - 22:42
It always makes me happy, SundaysChild, to hear that people have a good earthy laugh. It works wonder for one's morale. Take care.
Luigi x
seashore | January 16, 2011 - 22:49
Very tongue-in-cheek Luigi. I liked the way you turned the whole theme on its head.
luigi_pagano | January 16, 2011 - 23:05
Cheers seashore. I tried the other approach and it didn't work so I thought that I would pretend to play the devil's advocate. What was etched in my mind was that phrase 'Your call is important to us' that is repeated ad nauseam while you are kept hanging on for twenty minutes or more and which becomes meaningless after repetitions. Pleased you enjoyed this piece and thank you for letting me know.
Luigi x
fatboy74 | January 17, 2011 - 11:34
Very good Luigi, I actually don't mind waiting on the phone and usually pick up a book (which I am rarely allowed to do normally). I quite like the idea where you could press a button to get the music of your choice, pretty sure they could do that easily. Congrats on cherry.:-)
luigi_pagano | January 17, 2011 - 12:07
I couldn't concentrate on a book, fatboy74, as I would be counting the minutes and, like the miser that I am, worrying about the size of the telephone bill. I like listening to music but what we get on these automated phones is not necessarily what I would choose, hence my suggestion.
Nice to hear from you and thanks for the comment.
Cavalcaderl | January 17, 2011 - 22:18
new Luigi_Pagano
Good one for (IP)
H! Yes,like it especially
as turned around if I may say so.
My friend went into hospital way back.
I phoned up his name difficult
spell or pronounce,I tried, put
me onto A an E.Checked name no
one here,Spell it again?
so back to the switchboard
again re-tried spell ah! yes found
it now then put through to the ward.
Baffles me.When I was about twenty I
worked on switchboard with dolly eyes,
never had an answer machine
or pressing all the keys.
The eye ball dropped down as one
pulled out the plug.
julie xx
.
luigi_pagano | January 18, 2011 - 09:27
Dear Julie, I remember the good old days when we had switchboards which were manned efficiently by pretty girls. Nowadays the human contact has been lost and the new technology makes things much more difficult.
Take care.
Luigi xx