People don’t know how to use automated phone sytems.

I have to start this post by saying that I’m amazed the title actually fits all in one line, haha.

I know automated phone systems are really irritating and you don’t want to have to go through all those steps and listen to all your options. You just want your answer and you want to be done fast. Right?

Well, if people did learn to listen they’d probably end up saving themselves a lot of time. See, we have an automated system that connects campers to various parks around the continent. When you call, it welcomes you and tells you to press one for the United States and two for Canada. It says it very clearly (I know, I’ve called it before).

This is the phone call I get today.

Me: Hello, [campgroundname] in Niagara Falls!
Lady: Hi, my last name is [lastname] and I have a reservation for today for one of your cabins. I just wanted to know what they’re like.
Me: Okay… looking at reservation list to find out which one she’s in, but her last name isn’t on it at all. Sorry, what was the last name again?
Lady: [spells out lastname]
Me: Sorry, but was it the [campgroundname] in Niagara Falls that you reserved at?
Lady: No, I reserved at the one in [some other location in the United States].
Me: Oh I see.
Lady: I PRESSED 205.
Me: Yeah… but when you call the system, it tells you to press 1 for United States or 2 for Canada. And we’re park number 05. So you’ll have to call the 1-800 number back, press 1 for the United States and then park number 205.
Lady: Ooh.
Me: Sorry about that.
Lady: Oh it’s okay. Thank you.

She was really nice about it in the end, but we get that call a lot. If people would just calm down and listen they’d be able to reach the place they were trying to call originally.

It’s like that for so many things though, isn’t it? I mean, people want to ask you tons of questions but don’t want to wait around to hear the answer. It actually drives me crazy. Don’t ask me something if you can’t have the courtesy to listen to the answer to your question.

But hey, people are impatient and there’s not a heck of a lot you can do about it.