Today, I attended a mandatory meeting for work. During the slideshow, there was a segment dedicated to Costco Travel. I worked there for 13 years, most of which in the call center.
As you can imagine, I have plenty of stories of the calls I received. In American society, invariably you’ve contacted a call center filled wall-to-wall with customer service representatives (CSRs)
The following is just one of the funniest call center stories I have to share.
Funniest Call Center Stories: Curaçao
This story took place at Costco Travel. It was my first year, so I really wanted to make an impression. My trainer, Corrie, was promoted to supervisor that same year. She was my direct supervisor, in fact. Therefore she oversaw my development.
One of my Funniest Call Center Stories was regarding pronunciation of words.
A Costco Member called in wanting to a book Southern Caribbean cruise that embarked from San Juan, Puerto Rico. He knew the itinerary but clearly didn’t quite know the ports of calls like I did.
We agreed on all but one: Curaçao.
He had a Southern accent, but he insisted on calling it kur-ROCK-co. I explained to him the name is Dutch in origin, but he kept grating on my soul with his rough pronunciation of kur-ROCK-co.
I was in my mid 20’s so I was in the “save the world, by educating everyone” MODE with my correct pronunciation of the island.
He refused to yield.
I found myself locked horns with a stubborn Southerner over the how to say Curaçao.
After 20-minutes, I caved. I needed a sale for the day, and this guy was clearly in-it-2-win-it. Corrie started walking around to ensure if her team needed her assistance, she would be there.
I timed her arrival, and my incorrect pronunciation of Curaçao with a loud “kur-ROCK- CO” which stopped her dead in tracks!
She and I exchanged PAINED looks while I talked on the phone. She attempted to approach me but I held up my hand, then with my index finger and wagged it back and forth as warning to “not EVEN think of correcting me”!
I was dumber for this conversation which I wanted to end it sooner than later.
Corrie knew from her experience with me at this point to not question my actions while still on the phone.
She asked later what was the drama, and why I purposely alerted to her to it.
I retorted, “I was right, and should have been recognized for it by the caller!”
She smiled, and replied softly, “Los, sometimes the simple satisfaction of being correct should be it.”
Instead of being puffy-chested about it, and let my ego get in my way, I sighed. She was right. I let it go.
So if you’re ever on the Dutch island of kur-ROCK-co, be sure to greet that stubborn caller as I’m convinced he was left there by Carnival Cruise Lines in the early 2000’s.
Until next time, be good like you should, and if you can’t be good, be good at what you do!
Mic drop *bOoM*
‘los; out
los, Fil-Am Renaissance Man 