Short and Stupid, or, I'm a robot?

[4love]

Hello everyone! This is my first 'real' post so I thought I'd keep it simple.

Background: I work at a large chain bookstore (both the chain and the bookstore itself, actually) on the east coast that likes the color green. Because I tend to get along well with people I'm usually at the info. desk, greeting customers and answering phones. One of my 'gets-along-well-with-people' characteristics is that when pressed by an annoying/annoyed customer and/or insulted outright, I go into ueber-polite smiley mode rather than punk-step-off mode. So.

On to today's two tales of terror and titillation.

Short and... Stupid

Me: guess who?
SC: crazy guy on phone
(thoughts/actions)

Phone rings
Me: Thank you for calling Store, this is 4love, how can I help you?
SC: I think all you people at Store are terrorists!
Me: Ah... I'm sorry you feel that way sir, would you like...
SC: (slams down phone)
Me: ...to speak to... huh.

I actually was going to try and transfer him to a manager, too. They need a good laugh now and then.

I'm a robot?

Me: still here
SC: crazy lady in store
(still thoughts and actions)

SC: (stomps up to desk) It's ridiculous that you have to pay for membership here! *Other store* doesn't charge! Rabble rabble rabble *list of random complaints*!
Me: (pastes Sympathetic Smile (TM) firmly in place) I sure am sorry to hear you feel that way, ma'am. Would you like me to call a manager over so you can make a formal complaint?
SC: Well you're just a robot aren't you! (stomps off)
Me: (snicker)

They know! Abort mechanized takeover plan! Abort! Abort!

That's it for now. There'll be more later though, never fear.

[Primer]

EQ has the cookies, Lupo has the rest of the baked goods, Jester is the resident libations expert/psychiatrist, and is stashed all over the place in easily accessible spots.

Always remember Rule #1, else you will all over your monitor!

[GiftShopGirl]

SC: Well you're just a robot aren't you! (stomps off)

On one hand that's insulting, but on the other you actually WIN, because she just got the hint about how little you actually cared! You were about as sympathetic as a robot, and how can she possibly complain when you're trained to behave like that towards customers? WIN!!

[South Texan]

SC: I think all you people at Store are terrorists!.

"HOW DID YOU FIND THAT OUT?!? Wait... um... Sir, can you confirm your name and address for me? Um.. It is just a routine thing, but we um... need it for our um... records.

"Oh... and if two of our um... store representatives happen to call on you within the next fifteen minutes, they will be there to umm... give you a special prize for um... being my 100th call today. Please open the door for them and um... why don't you stay on the line with me until they get there? "

[PhiSigGirl1988]

SC: (stomps up to desk) It's ridiculous that you have to pay for membership here! *Other store* doesn't charge! Rabble rabble rabble *list of random complaints*!

But unlike *Other store (at least the one I'm assuming they're talking about)*, you actually get a decent discount AND tons of coupons.

On a side note, I know where you work, and I'm slightly jealous. I've wanted a job there for a long time, but alas, no such luck. Ah well

Welcome to the boards! You probably won't see me around much. I'm more of a lurker.

[4love]

Thanks, everyone.

GiftShopGirl- That's a large part of why I tend to respond that way under pressure. Usually I'm pretty good at doing the 'honest concern' voice so that customers who aren't already looking for something to whine about won't realize I'm putting on an act, but those two already had their sticks firmly lodged. So maybe I overdid it a little, but not enough so they have anything to complain about. Besides, what manager would punish an employee for doing exactly as trained?