Comments on Top 10 Stupid Things to Say to the Receptionist

Go to Editormum's OddmentsAdd a commentGo to Top 10 Stupid Things to Say to the Receptionist

Dealing with the Marching Oxymorons

Ah, but taking other people's calls: what an opportunity to vent your passive agression! Take it from me...

How about:

"Is this the party to whom I'm speaking?" (care of Lilli Tomlin's Ernestine).

Or the call you get at 7:45 AM at home if you didn't hear about your schedule change:

"Where are you?". (I would hope they aren't trying to get my GPS coordinates for a surgical strike or something!).

And Emo Phillips' immortal "People stop me on the street to ask me "Say, Emo, is it true people stop you on the street?".

majroj

 

posted by majroj on April 8, 2003 at 4:40 PM | link to this | reply

Too true!

I used to get that all the timeat my old job. We had this one faculty member who disappeared right under our noses.  It was quite funny most of the time.  Then the calls. "Is Dr. J there?"  I go check, "No, I'm sorry but he seems to have stepped out.  Can I leave a message?"  "Well where'd he go?"  "Ma'am, I don't know.  He didn't say."  "Well when's he coming back?"  "Again, I don't know.  He didn't say."  "Then let me leave a message!"

LADY, I asked you years ago if I could take down a message!  Why not LISTEN!?  That's what your ears are normally used for!  HELLO!

Thankfully in my editing job, I don't have to take calls for anyone else.

posted by Jemmie211 on April 8, 2003 at 1:22 PM | link to this | reply