Answering the Phone
I was at PetSmart today and had one of these spur of the moment things. I was at the register buying a new doggie chew toy and the cashier was ringing me up. When she finished, a customer had just walked in and asked her a question. To help the customer, the cashier walked away from the cash register. All of a sudden, the phone was ringing.
Me: [Thinking to myself] Hey, the phone’s ringing and she walked away. No one’s answering it. I wonder what would happen if I picked up the phone and answered it. That would be weird and a little uncomfortable. Oh shit…it’s uncomfortable. I should do it!
Me: [Picking up the phone] Thank you for calling PetSmart. This is C-Dub. How can I help you?
Caller: Yes hello. Isn’t there a sale on Frontline products?
Me: Sale on Frontline products?
Cashier: [Comes back and hears me say that] Yes there is a sale.
Me: Ahh…Frontline. Yes, there is a sale. I’m going to pass you onto my co-worker Cashier. She’s an expert on Frontline. Hold on. [Hand phone to Cashier.]
In terms of the level of discomfort for me, I had to release a little of the tension by smiling and laughing on the inside. I didn’t make any loud noises, but the caller could probably tell that there was a touch of laughter in my voice. Next time when the opportunity presents itself again, I would do pick up the phone and focus on being more relaxed and comfortable with it.
But apparently, I was calm enough that when the cashier came back, she didn’t freak out that I picked up the phone. She seemed like a chill person to start with (I also built rapport with her when she was ringing me up), but it was cool that she picked up on my body language that I was cool with it, which made her cool with it.
This is my new favorite website!!! I freakin’ love you man!
Lies! PetSmart doesn’t sell frontline!