Its Getting Old But

[Guest Joanna Phipps]

the script goes something like this

RING... Ring

Pickup

(hotel name here) This is Joanna how can we help you this morning

Caller Reservations please

Me: I can help you with that

Caller thank you SIR can you do you have......

I dont know how many times per shift this happens, that even though I introduce myself by my proper name the customer is either deaf, not listening or just wanting to get his business done and get on with his/her day.

Like I said it gets old but I do get a laugh out of it

[Guest Sofiadragon]

Things like that show just how ignorant the world is now & days.

[Guest Jean Davis]

Hey Joanna

there must be alot of men with Joanna for their first name.

Just a random thought.

LUV

Jean

[Guest Donna Jean]

Sure, Honey.....

My great uncle ...Joanna Phinas Jones...

And my Grandpa.. Joanna Licoln Jones

Dad ...Joanna Elmer Rosco Jones....

Very common male name....so, don't get all worried about it.......OK?

Love

Donna Jean

[Guest AllisonD]

There is a way around this problem, which often is the caller isn't really listening and your name doesn't even register in his mind.

I always answer my work phone, "Good Morning, Quality"

Doesn't matter what time of day it is. I have customers all over the world, so it is morning to some part of the company no matter what time of day it is.

Usually, my customers are looking specifically for me, so they say, "Allison ..... Please", or words to that effect.

This is my chance to make sure my gender is known. I respond, "This is she, how may I help you?"

By making a point of engaging the person in conversation first, and then making a point that I am a she, I avoid a great many potential instances of being sir'd.

Lizzy heard me in action just the other day. Ask her, she'll tell you it works.

Allison

[Guest N. Jane]

Oh but voice and gender can be so much FUN!

On a good day my voice can cover quite a range and I have had great fun with telemarketers. Their initial assumption is usually feminine and they will call me ma'am or miss. Then I let my voice drift DOWN until they switch to sir. Once they have made the switch, it's back up again, up high enough they have no choice but to switch back to ma'am or miss.

It is really quite entertaining, toying with annoying people

[Guest Elizabeth K]

Allison is in voice - definately.

And I have a quandry - my voice is getting there but my wife has many friends who call. Sometimes I forget and answer in voice - they hang up. If I can catch them in time, they say [my name]? I have to fake it - 'hurummph, sorry, was taking a nap" (lower register). And yesterday I got into hot water, my wife was with several of her friends when one of them brought that up. I am out to only about 3 of the 6. YIKES. My wife was peeved!

So Joanna, just be a little more bittchy maybe on the phone. "This is Joanna how can we help you this morning? (sweetness and light) - reservations please - "I can help you with that!" (lilting beautifully at the end) - Thank you sir , do you... - "ASHHOLE!" (Slam).

Ooops - on second thought, in today's economy, perhaps you might want to keep your job!

Grin

Lizzy