Calling to Show You Care (as submitted to Highestwire)

Submitted by Howard Meyer on Wednesday, March 02, 2005 at 11:28:08 AM EST.

I had called an internet service provider with a question on a problem that I was having online, and of course my call was outsourced to India, where a man with an accent answered.

After explaining my dilemma to him, he answered everything, and then asked me, “Is there anything else that I can do for you?”

I was about to reply, “No,” when all of the sudden it hit me: I was calling India, and some parts of it were hit by the tsunami. I felt that it would be very nice and thoughtful of me to find out about his welfare, and how his fellow associates were doing.

“I just wanted to know,” I said, “if you were affected by the tsunami, and if everyone you know is OK.”

“We are all fine, and although the tidal waves were close by, they did not reach us,” said the call center operator.

I breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank God,” I said.

He laughed. But then he mentioned his appreciation for my inquiry and concern.

Since nothing else was needed, I then said my goodbye. The Indian then said what I never heard any phone technician say before.

“God bless you,” he said.

I was too shocked to speak, but finally managed to wish him well, and hung up.

During that conversation the Indian was not a call center employee, and I was not a caller with internet problems, but rather, we were human beings, and this was a moment of caring that went across the world, for real, and my issue was forgotten. This internet service provider worker forgot his stiff formalities, codes, and demeanors that were imbued in him by faceless American bosses, and instead, opened up to a caring caller.

No matter where you are calling from, or who you are calling, always find out how the person on the other end of the line is doing. It will make you feel very happy and warm inside.

Trust me.

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