Forum Topic

Feel like I'm a bitch but could not help myself!!

Doorbell......I answer,  Charity person at front door says "Hi how are you?"Deep breath,  that's me not her,  I say "why don't you say  Hello my name is ----,  say on whose behalf you are standing at my front door,  and ask me for what you want.  You do not care how I am"Stunned silence her end,  then "well that is how they train us" Me "well tell them no one wants a stranger at their front door asking how they are when the reality is you just want a donation a simple hello would suffice."  I was then nice to her as she was polite and we ended up laughing  but really why do utility companies,  market research etc start the conversation with hi how you doing?!!!  Rant over!Oh I do feel guilty about the poor girl now......onwards and upwards!

Emilia Fitzpatrick ● 4729d9 Comments

Don't blame yourself. I hate the interminable 'How are you?' too!

Susan Kelly ● 4729d

Or worse letters and e-mails addressed Hi Emilia,  especially if I am complaining to an irritating mobile phone company making a formal complaint and their response is "Hi Emilia!"  Dear Ms Fitzpatrick to you please!

Emilia Fitzpatrick ● 4729d

Similar thing occurs in the supermarket at the checkout.  The cashier says 'Hi, how are you?'There have been occasions when I've thought, 'Does this person know me?'.  It's as though the cashier is trying to start a conversation.  I just want to pay for the stuff and get out of the shop.  I know they're trained to be polite but it does come across a little contrived.

Fred Bray ● 4729d

"Hi how are you" from someone at the door / on the till that I don't know is just American and I live in England and wish people to speak English.  It irritates me when I am in the US but here???Do these companies / charities realise how much it alienates us?  Good morning / good afternoon etc. that would get a much better response in my book.

Jill Williams ● 4729d

When I get a phone call, usually from someone who barely speaks English, beginning, 'How are you?' I reply, 'Who wants to know?' That completely flummoxes them.

Susan Kelly ● 4729d

I have made a note of the one liners, thanks Emilia and Susan I will laminate them and keep it by the door and phone. Any suggestions for missionaries.

Kim Rugg ● 4728d

I do not find it quite so annoying at the supermarket as at least you have decided to be there and some interaction is required,  although agreed just hello would work better.But British Gas rang me up last week starting the conversation with hi how are you today.  I had to work hard to find out who he was,  why he was calling etc and I should not have to. I very nearly gave up but he actually did need to check something with me and it was sorted.The same with BT who are usually just trying to sell me something even though I tell them EACH time to remove my name from their sales list! Hi how are you,  why don't you want broadband,  don't you have a computer,  who do you have it with..... OH GO AWAY AND STOP BOTHERING ME I AM MAKING MY DINNER for they always call me at dinner time!!

Emilia Fitzpatrick ● 4728d

Yes, I object strongly to all that 'Who is your current supplier?' stuff and just reply that I don't give out that sort of information to random strangers on the phone.

Susan Kelly ● 4728d

They are all reading from cards.........don't open the door to anyone you don't know......

Dee Cook ● 4728d