Friday, April 06, 2007
The space between us
Me: "OK, so now you'll want to try going to a couple of different web sites to make sure that everything with the connection is working properly."
Caller: "OK."
And then there was silence.
I waited about four minutes. The guy was a bit older and sounded rather green, so I assumed he was just taking some time to enter the site in. However, after four minutes, I realized I hadn't heard any typing or other noises indicating success or failure.
Me: "Were you able to get to those sites?"
Caller: "Oh!"
And then there was typing.
I wish that was the first time in the call that we'd had this little incident, but it was the fifth. Often I'd ask him to click on something, or open a window, or read something, and he'd say "OK" and just.... not do it. I'd prompt him again and then it'd get done.
Last night, a friend asked me why IT workers always seem to be bitter and short-tempered. I can't speak for all of them, but stuff like this conversation can really wear out your patience with people.
Caller: "OK."
And then there was silence.
I waited about four minutes. The guy was a bit older and sounded rather green, so I assumed he was just taking some time to enter the site in. However, after four minutes, I realized I hadn't heard any typing or other noises indicating success or failure.
Me: "Were you able to get to those sites?"
Caller: "Oh!"
And then there was typing.
I wish that was the first time in the call that we'd had this little incident, but it was the fifth. Often I'd ask him to click on something, or open a window, or read something, and he'd say "OK" and just.... not do it. I'd prompt him again and then it'd get done.
Last night, a friend asked me why IT workers always seem to be bitter and short-tempered. I can't speak for all of them, but stuff like this conversation can really wear out your patience with people.
Labels: communication
# posted by Terry @ 10:30 AM 
