A call for niceness

HINTS FROM HELOISE

A call for niceness

Dear Heloise: A letter in The (Carlisle, Pa.) Sentinel from “Concerned Dad” carried a reminder to BE NICE to cashiers working in fast-food restaurants.

My son’s 20-year-old girlfriend works in a call center for student loans. She tells me that people yell at her all the time. I would like to add a shoutout to folks to also BE NICE to hardworking real people who answer the phones at call centers. They do their best to give answers to your questions.

— Courteous Caller, via email

Dear Courteous Caller: You are absolutely correct. I’ve written about this a million and one times. The person at the call center is NOT the one who makes the rules. They are doing their job. You may NOT like the answer, but don’t yell at them.

Please, readers, take a breath before ranting at someone on the other end of the line.

— Heloise P.S.: A hint from your friend Heloise, who knows a lot about the “other side of the phone call,” trust me. If you feel you are getting nowhere, yes, ask for a supervisor, but be simple in explaining the situation.

Still no luck? Hang up and call back!

Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or you can fax it to 1-210-HELOISE or email it to Heloise@Heloise.com.

By Heloise