Jesus Fucking H Christ

[lynettebro440]

I have to release, if you aren't in the mood to listen please push the back button and get the fuck out, I'm not in the mood.

Ok folks, a little history. I'm a female from Des Moines Iowa, (you rock Iowa) turning 50 very soon. I work at an insurance company as a customer call person (yeah, that american person on the other end of the line that you call). I have a securities license and a life insurance license, I don't have a degree (except in life and it's a doctorate by now). I make around 30k a year, I have great benefits and it's a great company but it's fucking hard work. Now I appreciate every day that I go in there because I'm thankful for having a job. I have been homeless in southern florida in 2000 and unemployed because of a douche bag repuke that didn't get his way. I have owned homes and lost it all. I have lived very simple and don't ask a lot from others. I was taught to treat people exactly how I want to be treated, I live by those rules and have taught my children the same. My son does the same job I do and he's 25 (my baby). I'm just like everyone else, I'm struggling, I'm worried and I don't know what's going to happen to my future anymore. But what I don't deserve is having to also take on your burden too.

For the last three days at work it has been insane, I have been there 2 years and never before have I seen what is happening now. On Tuesday people were calling in (about 30 in que waiting to be answered) afraid and nervous. I spoke calmly and tried to settle their fears. On Wednesday they started to get panicked and extremely scared and it was awful, let me tell you. BUT TODAY every single person was a complete dick, yelling at me because they were losing their shirts. Everyone was getting that same kind of attitude, every caller was pissed off and they felt that taking it out on us was helping them. Now does it ever occur to people when they are screaming at someone who is just trying to make a fucking living like every other fucking person in this nation, that to you that is OK? I don't understand people. It's exactly like these fucking republicans that blame everyone else accept themselves. I posted a couple days ago why people lost their money. Now because this is how DU helps me with in life, I'm letting you know, it is NOT acceptable to treat other americans this way. We are all in this together. You can't start a civil war because you are pissed about what is happening to you. Do you ever think these same thoughts when you see a homeless person huddled on the street? Do you ever wonder that maybe that person would kill to be where you are in life, the fact that you have a home, a job, money to bitch about losing? Do you ever think that maybe you are one of the lucky ones?

I'm sorry if this pisses anyone off, I told you to back away before I started. I'm just screaming this to all that hear, please.....don't take this out on the people that are suffering as bad as you. Every person is just trying to do and keep their fucking jobs. My bonus depends upon that survey that you are offered at the end of every call. That is my life line. And if you get pissed off at me then my survival is also gone. Just think of that the next time you want to take out your frustration on another person. You could be homeless, and let me tell you being homeless makes what you have feel like heaven. When you cover your head tonight on a soft mattress and a warm blanket, think about that before you pick up the phone and call me.

Thanks for listening.

[Turbineguy]

1. You seem

pretty reasonable to me!

[Jamastiene]

2. Best. Rant. Ever.

Sounds like you have had several really shitty days in a row. :hug:

[wicket]

43. amen

[MarkInCA]

3. Well stated n/t

[4 t 4]

8. It's called Empathy...

and not enough people can keep it in check anymore ! This government is killing us.

[lynettebro440]

4. It's what I love about this place

it lets me vent and get it off my chest because god knows you can't at work.....

[wtmusic]

5. At least you don't have to be in the room with them

Their poor dogs are probably getting the shit kicked out of them.

Do something nice for youself, you deserve it. :thumbsup:

[JuniperLea]

6. I know your job well...

I used to work for AIG SunAmerica... well, SunAmerica for the longest, under the Eli Broad helm. I had a Series 6 and 28... I'm betting you have a 6 or 7, right? I also coordinated all the NASD testing and licensing... took fingerprints, the whole enchilada. I think I know your world very well. Correct me if I'm wrong.

I worked for the EVP over customer service, a call center of over 200 people. When people weren't satisfied, they asked for a supervisor, when the supervisor didn't satisfy them, they asked for my boss... guess who took the call first... yup. Me.

Now, when I need to call a customer service department, and I'm angry, right off I tell the rep, "I know this is not your fault, so please forgive me if I get loud or angry." And then I try my hardest not to vent too much in their direction.

I feel for you... and I understand your need to get it off your chest. I hope things get better for you... what an age we live in.

[lynettebro440]

13. Oh you know the drill well

Yep exactly what I do. I used to be an Admin for a broker, did it for years. I was unemployed after he fired me, went from 40k to 28 after 5 months of looking (got unemployment though, ass fired me for reasons we don't need to discuss..lol). Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be doing this. I love the place, full of young people, smart company got their shit together.

I felt better later in the day when a broker called and said "hey be glad your not AIG, heard houston home office was closed so they had 35 people in the room that they put a top of 200 calls in waiting. I drove home thanking my lucky stars.

I'm in an insurance mecca here. When I arrived from florida in 2001 it was insurance or insurance. This is a tough gig for my age but hey you get what you can, I'm thankful I'm not homeless.

[JuniperLea]

20. It is a gas being around the youngsters!

I'm close to your age:) I've been hearing AIG horror stories all day. I've been gone from there for five years... and thankfully, I sold my AIG stock (employee purchase plan) before it took a nosedive the first time... to buy a house... a house that now has negative equity:) But at least I have a roof over my head:) I'm happy to see you are counting those lucky stars... it could be worse... and may get worse... but when you have sense enough to know that, well, I just think you stay ahead of the game that way.

You vent when you need to!

[lynettebro440]

21. Thank you honey

It is why I love DU as much as I do.....lets me say it in a confined enviroment instead of out there where I can't. It feels good to just release.

[TahitiNut]

7. Uh-huh ... and that's why they hire people to take the calls for them.

:shrug:

It's too bad you can't transfer such calls to the bosses and owners responsible.

[glitch]

34. "It's too bad you can't transfer such calls to the bosses and owners responsible"

I just had a sweet vision of someone hacking a call center...:)

[gateley]

9. Good reminder to us all.

When we're frightened and feel helpless, we lash out, we want to hurt who we think is hurting us. This is not an excuse, we need to remember just what you said -- YOU are not THEM. This is not your fault. I'm sorry you're having to deal with this. If I'm ever on the other (customer) end of the line and at my wits end, I'll remember your message. I promise. :hug;

[stuntcat]

10. the fact that

the fact that so many people think it's alright to talk to people that way.. it's something I can't ignore. I've lost faith in people, not every single one of course, but as a group. I don't think anything will surprise me from now on.

At your job I'd try to remember to keep a sense of humor about it.. that might be impossible but whatever it takes to try to giggle inside at how ridiculous people are, being assholes to people who are just helping them.

[JDPriestly]

48. Remember, what they are saying is not personal.

They aren't really angry at you at all.

I know it's hard, but what people really want is your sympathy. Hey, if your kid falls down, he comes crying to you. What else can he do?

That's what the callers are doing. They have fallen down and they are coming to you. It's not your fault. It's not their fault. You don't want to be judged. Neither do they.

If you show sympathy, most normal people will be disarmed, satisfied. Just show sympathy and tell them that if you could do something you would, but you just answer the phone, you don't make company policy, so you can't do anything. Just feel like you are a mom hugging a kid that fell.

This will be actually easier to do than it sounds. They are hurting and they want to talk to someone who understands.

P.S. I used to be a service rep for a telephone company. I used to have to call people and tell them that we were turning off their phones -- I know what I am talking about.

[patrice]

11. Right On!! The Golden Rule IS the best! Your Victory is that you live by it inspite of

people living by the dog-eat-dog rule.

They aren't succeeding in pulling you down and turning you into them; you WIN!

:applause:

[Fire1]

12. You probably weren't looking for a response, but I gotta say....

I feel ya! I count my blessings every day. Most of these people with 'money to scream about' don't stop to think how it got this way and they want four more years of this bulls$#t!!!! UNBELIEVABLE!!!!

[lynettebro440]

15. Yep I know what you mean

unbelievable in my eyes also.

[petersjo02]

14. Have courage.

I'm thinking/hoping there may be better days ahead. I retired in 2003 and lost 25% of my TIAA-CREF pension between 2001, after Bush came on board and trashed things, and November 2003. It made me sick to my stomach, but the only person to blame was/is George Bush. Keep your chin up.

Your neighbor in eastern Iowa, petersjo02, sends you good thoughts.

[lynettebro440]

18. Thanks petersjo02

Iowa is at least blue now. If it wasn't, I would probably be pulling more of my hair out...LOL

[bsdetector]

16. Buying gas, I frequently hear customers yelling at the cashiers about the price.

I know people are frustrated and pissed off but please don't take it out on the clerk...who has to pay the same price and isn't exactly getting an executive's salary!

[madmax]

17. You ROCK!!

Great rant. Understand it completely! Feel free to vent anytime friend. :hug:

[colorado thinker]

19. Oh, my dear

I'm sorry. I understand exactly what you are going through.

Remember, these people who are screaming at you are the ones who have felt they are entitled to everything their little hearts desired. The universe is pulling them up by the short hairs and they have no coping skills.

Try to take a little pleasure in watching (listening) to them face the real world.

You go, girl.

[lynettebro440]

23. Oh I do

we have to really laugh and the company does all they can to take care of us. It's the only reason I could do this. This isn't an american company so they got their shit together. Yesterday they broke out Dilly bars because they knew the heat was starting up. But glad when it's the weekend......

[onecent]

22. Bless you for putting up with the public. I too am scared, but

of other investments.

Maybe you could real quickly say, "Vote for Obama"..ha ha,,,wouldn't it be nice if you could just blow up back at them. But I have worked in an office atmosphere...where we were handcuffed with "what we could respond too and how"...

Good luck...and hang in there.

Maybe things will change in November!! I pray for that and for your job and sanity!

[lynettebro440]

25. I throw my liberal voice out

hell I'm 17 years older then the oldest person around me. I think there are like 3 50 year olds in the building. They keep me on my toes but I speak my mind.

And if Obama doesn't get voted in, back up plan is my son, daughter and I are moving to canada, trying to tie up job up there with other insurance company that I used to work for. But jesus it's fucking cold up there:)

[RC]

35. Cold? Naa... I'm in North Dakota, 200 miles from Winnipeg.

Winter helps to keep the riff-raff out. Besides it's a dry cold. Jacket weather down to -10°F or so when it is advisable to maybe zip it up a bit.
The coldest I have ever been was +10° in Kansas. That was a damp cold where the humidity just sucks the warmth right out through your coat.

[lynettebro440]

36. That's like here too

When it gets -10 you can't breathe outside. Dry cold, I've never heard of that.

[Dark]

24. I was a telemarketer so I know exactly how you feel.

n/t

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

26. Hang in there!

:)

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

27. So, who are you most pissed off,...at?

:shrug:

Me? I am most pissed off at those who pulled me into a fiction,...and made BIG BUCKS they will never lose.

What would make me "feel" better, on BOTH a psychological and rational level, is TAKING AWAY every benefit from those who made big bucks on fraud. THOSE PEOPLE should not only be ECONOMICALLY BROKE but also SERVING THIS NATION!

What I MUST KNOW IS WHO MADE THE BIG BUCKS OFF THE "BUSH FICTION".

NAME THOSE FUCKERS, FIRST!!! I want the names of every individual who made the most money over the last seven years!

Let us start investigating THOSE EVIL WELFARE-SUCKING PEOPLE!!!!

[Booster]

28. I try my absolute best not to jump on whomever answers the

phone when I call with a complaint. I have only lost my temper after talking to someone in India who I couldn't understand and they couldn't hear me. What a nightmare. To me, they have a condescending tone in their voice that just starts me off wrong and it NEVER gets any better with me yelling "WHAT", and them saying "I can't hear you". I really don't like the kind of people you're talking about, but I know a lot of them. I want to thank the reps (American) who always seem to calm me down and actually get to the bottom of my complaint. If you give them the whole picture without yelling at them, they will help you a whole lot more. Bless you guys; I couldn't do your job because I don't have the patience.

[lynettebro440]

32. I know exactly what you mean

my blood pressure rises also when talking to them, sorry to say. Thanks for understanding if they just get to the facts to us instead of taking out their feelings, it makes life way easier. I am there to help but not there to be abused.

[phusion]

29. I work in an IT call center...

you have my sympathies!

[thewalll]

30. Perseverance furthers!

I appreciated your reminder of how we all my knowingly or inadvertently foist our internal frustrations and helplessness on others, generally without regard for the recipient as one of us just trying to exist. I completely agree with your perspective about treating others wit respect, compassion and understanding. Moreover, I have found that once you figure out how to protect yourself from others that are trying to make their problems yours, you will be able to endure whoever or whatever is thrown at you with courtesy and professionalism second to no one.

However, as I'm certain that you know, that is easier said than done. But never stop trying and eventually no one will be able to get to you that you don't allow.

I hope tomorrow is a better day for you. To some extent it would have to be incredibly awful to be worse than today. Your heart, mind and soul all reside in a good place, don't let the ingrates spoil your peace of mind. Have fun!

PS: When I was younger I decided that people blowing their horns while in the car always resulted in pissing someone else off. If you think about the domino effect of mad drivers, it can be frightening as well as dangerous. Consequently, I stopped blowing my horn in virtually all cases. What that meant to some of my passengers is that they may end up sitting through one or two Green lights, if someone in front of us is not paying attention.

[southernleftylady]

31. I just went thru alot.. and my mom told me to get mad and fight.. but I told her..

that wouldn't work because I know I would get defensive and it doesn't work when I am at work so I didn't and my hubby said he was so proud of me.. I know its not the people who I am talking to's fault so why scream at them? Thanks for this post to make people remember!

[TheCentepedeShoes]

33. Hug

coming :hug:

[arthritisR_US]

37. Ranting is good but don't forget to take a deep breath, have a nice warm

bath and have a well deserved peaceful sleep tonight. I understand your pain and frustration. :grouphug:

[lynettebro440]

40. It funny you said that

when my son walked in the door, I looked at him and said "Take deep breathes" LOL......I'm not that stressed, I mean eventually this has to end right?

[arthritisR_US]

54. I just wish people would stop with this "kicking the cat " syndrome they have

been exhibiting to people like you who are just doing a job. It has to end eventually and I'm hoping that sooner rather than later people address their angst at those that warrant it!

[Omnibus]

38. Thank you for the rant.

Seriously. I'm frustrated at work myself, due to the uncertainty of trial outsourcing, and seeing YOUR frustration gives me an indicator that I'm not the only person out there in a bad situation.

Coincidentally, I also work in Des Moines, at an insurance company. And since I do IT Service Desk, I spend most of my day on the phones, as well. So your rant hit pretty close to home.

I will tell you that I'll be a little bit more polite to people I talk to on the phone, and you're the reason why.

Good luck, and hang in there!

[lynettebro440]

39. Thanks Omnibus

It helps to come on here and release. Makes up for not being able to drink because of my stomach...LOL You downtown?

[Mimosa]

41. LynetteBro, I always try to treat people as I would want to be treated

If I am in the middle of something, I say "I'm sorry but I'm too busy to do any surveys. Thank you, Bye."

But when I can I do reply to phone surveys. The other day I replied to one about the quality of the Delivery of a dishwasher from Home Depot. I had nice things to say.

I would never abuse a person on the phone just because they called. Americans are getting meaner as a whole, though. Your reminder is good, LynnBro.

[qwlauren35]

42. You have very challenging job right now.

Any steam you need to blow off is justified in my book.

[undergroundpanther]

44. You are right

People when they get scared think yelling at the salesperson the phone help or whatever will fix it.It is part of the corruption of character money causes. Because you pay with money you get expectations of service with a smile no matter how big of an asshole you are.

Truth is if people had to barter and share they wouldn't get away with yelling like little scared bullies at people trying to help them,they'd hold their tongues and be glad someone was willing to help.Because if you insist on being an asshole in any other type of exchange system,One that's not based in money.This attitude of entitlement goes pouf! Because the asshole knows the kindness of the giver could be withdrawn once he pisses off the giver,The irritated barterer could change their mind and choose to NOT deal with an asshole dishing out verbal abuse.The assholes of the world would have to accept a crash course in respecting boundaries ,decency and civility or keep that asshole and entitlement delusion and starve to death.
And I like that kind of"karma" . It needs to hit people deluded into thinking if money was paid it entitles them to be served with a smile even if they are an insufferable asshole.. That kind of economic /social behavior correction is long overdue.

[fulllib]

45. With ya

I work for a large financial institution. I work in compliance on securities, and we have watched numerous companies fail over the last year because they were propped up with weak papers. Each time a servicer goes bankrupt, it is me updating our systems to who now will be servicing the loans. And not to mention the internal layoffs we have been watching around us, so far not our department, only the loan processors.

I totally agree with you having to deal with this. My end is different, because mostly I deal with people at my level at other servicers. They understand this about as much as I do. And we fuddle through our obligations together, trying to see what we need from each other and what we are able to provide to each other. Its ridiculous.

Because few of us even understand what the heck these financial instruments are. We understand what we do, how to process it when it comes in, etc. But none of it makes sense.

I'm sorry to hear people are treating you that way. That is why I responded. Because the people I work with are just as clueless as I am. They don't know how they are to fulfill regulatory obligations when their company is bankrupt, I don't know to what extent I can enforce a damn thing if it is all crap anyway.

I'm just lucky that on the other end of the phone are poor analysts like me that are stuck in the middle.

Good luck, and thank you for sharing your story.

[johnaries]

46. I used to draw a little button on my notepad,

and everytime a customer on the phone would say something really stupid or start cussing at me, I would pretend that they were standing on an electric grid and every time I pressed that button 30,000 volts would shoot through the grid.

I used that "button" a lot! I think I even broke it a couple of times.

[MiniMe]

47. I admit that I have, in the past, gotten a bit upset when talking on the phone

to a support person, but I always make sure to start off by saying I'm really sorry, this isn't directed directly at you. I know there isn't anything you can do about this, but I have to get this off my chest. Still not nice, and not fair, but sometimes you get so frustrated you have to let it out.

Can I ask you if it helps at all if somebody says that it isn't directed at you, they just have to rant?

[Evoman]

49. Honestly, I don't get why people lose their tempers so easily.

Especially when your talking to someone who is trying to help you.

I was a call center CSR for ATT. I was very good at what I did for the brief time I did it. I never once lost my temper talking to the customers and was never snide. But even when I was doing my best (and even solving their problems) people would yell at me. They would yell at me if a tower was down after a storm or hurricane, for fucks sakes, lol.

It's not the easiest thing to keep your temper, but as an adult, we should all be capable of it.

And no, yelling at the reps does not get you results. What it does is make reps less likely to help you...I was always good, but I know reps that would intentionally fuck over people that swore at them (for example, sending a person a spanish manual instead of an english one).

[magellan]

50. The receiving end is not fun

But giving abuse is, for some people. I've been on both sides too. When I need to grouse, I try to remember to begin with "I know you work for a living like me so please don't take this personally, but..." I don't know if that always helps the recipient, but someone said the same to me once before they started in and I found I was more inclined to help and didn't feel abused at the end of the call.

If only more people would think before lashing out...

I hope tomorrow is a better day for you.

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

51. It's pretty clear from reading posts on DU...

...that there are a lot of people here who think that everyone who works in insurance or finance evil, or at least expendable, and no they don't give a damn about you or your job as long as they get to cheer the destruction of the evil corporations.

[a kennedy]

52. hugs for you

and today when some dickwad calls, say I think you have mistaken me for someone who gives a SH*T and hang up. That'll make ya feel better too. :hug: :rofl:

[lynettebro440]

53. LOL you made me laugh this morning

I will be thinking of your comment all day....hope I don't accidently use it.....LOL