[lit-ideas] Re: Is there anything else I can help you with today?
- From: David Ritchie <ritchierd@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Wed, 1 Jun 2011 22:50:12 -0700
This phrase gets my vote for "possibly the most annoying one of the decade."
Example of what I mean: it's hard to figure out which car insurances you need
when you rent in Mexico. One person on the Trip Advisor forum suggests using
Avis because that company is said to include in its quotes one of the four
kinds of insurance people say you have to buy.
David, "Hello, Avis?"
Avis, "How can I help you today?"
D. "I'm investigating renting a car in Mexico..." [snip the boring
details]..."Which insurance costs are included?"
A. "Please hold while I ask my supervisor..." [imagine hold music here] "I
believe insurance is included, sir, but to be sure you'll have to ask at the
desk when you arrive."
D. "But I asked you which *kinds* of insurance are included. The question is
aimed at avoiding up-charges when I arrive at the desk."
A. "This is the information I have at present, sir."
D. "Are you expecting to have better information in the near future?"
A. "This is the information I have at present."
D. "Well it's not very useful."
A. "Is there anything else I can help you with today?"
At this point I want to say, "Yes, you could help me bring peace to the Middle
East, tell me how to grow Swiss chocolate on broad-leafed Maple trees, and
explain what kinds of incentive will persuade a contractor or service person to
show up at the appointed hour."
But I don't. Instead I find solace in Literature and Ideas.
David Ritchie,
Portland,
Oregon------------------------------------------------------------------
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