Foreign Operators: I wonder if those foreign phone support people sometimes put us on by talking gibberish. I just had sort of a conversation with one, and it didn't go well.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I wonder if those foreign phone support people sometimes put us on by talking gibberish. I just had sort of a conversation with one, and it didn't go well. Fortunately, the called was disconnected, so I could try for another operator.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Maybe they think they can confuse people.
Or make people think they know what they are talking about.

Remember:
"If you can't dazzle them with brilliance,
baffle them with bullshit!"

Toment Loc: FL, IL

Happens all the time…

jinx

Did you ever try to tell them to connect you with a person who has English as their first language? It always takes several requests before they put you on hold to reconnect you. That usually works, not not always. Sometimes you just have to hang up and hopefully on next call you will get someone that understands you and you understand them.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Longshadow wrote:

Maybe they think they can confuse people.

No doubt about that.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

jinx wrote:

Did you ever try to tell them to connect you with a person who has English as their first language? It always takes several requests before they put you on hold to reconnect you. That usually works, not not always. Sometimes you just have to hang up and hopefully on next call you will get someone that understands you and you understand them.

In India? Working for the answering service?

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

I love the fact that they often tell you that their name is something very American or British-sounding. I had one guy tell me that his name was Sean - in English that I could barely comprehend. I felt like saying "well, top o' the mornin' to ya, Sean".

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

sb wrote:

I love the fact that they often tell you that their name is something very American or British-sounding. I had one guy tell me that his name was Sean - in English that I could barely comprehend. I felt like saying "well, top o' the mornin' to ya, Sean".

Yes, that is funny. They think they can make us believe that they are speaking from a nearby state. It's funny how they tend to use the same expressions, like ..."on my end." Not something Americans generally say. I am surprised, though, that they don't select people with better English language skills.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

My favorite so far is the guy with the near east accent:
Him: ... Can you hear me?
Me: No.
<pause>
Him: ... Can you hear me now?
Me: No.
Him: Sir, the fact that you are answering me means that you can hear me.
Me: No shit Sherlock, goodbye.

rlv567 Loc: Baguio City, Philippines

Longshadow wrote:

Maybe they think they can confuse people.
Or make people think they know what they are talking about.

Remember:
"If you can't dazzle them with brilliance,
baffle them with bullshit!"

I don't think that is the reason. Haven't you noticed that almost all of them are reading from a prepared sheet - which once in a while might be responsive to your questions. If you distract them, they back up a few lines, and repeat. They don't have a clue as to what you are asking, much less an answer for it. What's worse, it even happens with Tech Support in this country on occasion.

Loren - in Beautiful Baguio City

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

My outlook is that if I can't stop it then at least have fun with it. I often respond with something like, "I'm glad you called, I'd like to talk to you about our Savior, Jesus Christ. Can I have just an hour of your time?" or "Thank goodness you called, I need help getting blood out of my carpet, I mean a lot of blood, can you help me?"

Whatever you do, please don't berate the caller for they are just doing what they can to make a living and provide for their family like you and I had to do. When you get angry with someone, they become living in your mind rent-free and when you hang up they move on and you continue to stew about the call. Life is short, enjoy all that you can whenever you can.

srg

sippyjug104 wrote:

My outlook is that if I can't stop it then at leas... (show quote)

Excellent comments. Sometimes, when i get really mad from receiving a telemarketer call, I try to speak calmly and tell them that the Johhny on the Spot guy has a job with more dignity

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

rlv567 wrote:

I don't think that is the reason. Haven't you noticed that almost all of them are reading from a prepared sheet - which once in a while might be responsive to your questions. If you distract them, they back up a few lines, and repeat. They don't have a clue as to what you are asking, much less an answer for it. What's worse, it even happens with Tech Support in this country on occasion.

Loren - in Beautiful Baguio City

Alafoto Loc: Montgomery, AL

jerryc41 wrote:

Yes, that is funny. They think they can make us believe that they are speaking from a nearby state. It's funny how they tend to use the same expressions, like ..."on my end." Not something Americans generally say. I am surprised, though, that they don't select people with better English language skills.

Then they would have to pay more.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

rlv567 wrote:

I don't think that is the reason. Haven't you noticed that almost all of them are reading from a prepared sheet - which once in a while might be responsive to your questions. If you distract them, they back up a few lines, and repeat. They don't have a clue as to what you are asking, much less an answer for it. What's worse, it even happens with Tech Support in this country on occasion.

Loren - in Beautiful Baguio City

All tech support is based on scripts. They are divided into sections, depending on the problem.