some advice

[TheOncomingStorm]

I work at a call center that takes reservations for hotels here are a few things that would make everyones life a little easier,
If you make a reservation keep your reservation or confirmation number somewhere you have access to it easily.
Before you call in to make reservation have a credit card ready along with pen and paper.
Please do not use speaker phones, speaker phones sound like you are in a tunnel.
just a few pet peeves of the job.

[ToSeek]

And if you're paying with a check at the grocery store (or anywhere else), don't wait until the clerk tells you the price to start writing the check.

[Kristophe]

Oh, and if you're taking your barbecue tank into a tank exchange, please whipe off any barbecue sauce that may have dripped onto it. Cleaning that off of one tank once per year makes life very much easier for the poor kid who has to wash 300 of the things per day.

[tofu]

There is no such thing as a "fast lane." People go fast in both lanes. The left lane is for passing. If you are not actually passing someone, get the heck out of the left lane so that other people can pass YOU.

Now, if you're thinking to yourself "but, but I can't change lanes! There's another car there!!!" Guess what. It's your fault that you can't change lanes. You chose to get into the passing lane when you didn't have the ability or desire to pass. It's your fault you're there, now it's your responsibility to fix it. Even if you have to (omg!) slow down and change lanes, you still have to do it.

[TheBlackCat]

Food services do appreciate you being polite. You may even find you can sometimes get special treatment if you treat them very politely repeatedly (same goes for other service industries). It is also a good idea to watch them if you can, they are a lot happier fixing mistakes before they make them then having to re-do the entire order (at least that's what they tell me). And don't worry about telling them you don't want something on their order, it only means less work for them.

Librarians do appreciate you putting the book back, but only if you do it correctly.

Asking lots of questions in class is not appreciated. Answering a lot of them is. Most people don't like answering questions, if you answer a question that means the teacher will not call on them. Asking questions wastes class time and makes class run longer.

People will not thank you for driving down the street at 2:00 AM blasting your horn, especially when it sounds like the one from "Dukes of Hazard".

[Tinaa]

If you call a pizza restaurant know what you want and don't ask, "what are your specials?" If delivery, Tip the driver! With gas so high, they are hurting. Do Not tell them you can't tip because the price of gas is so high. Do not assume the delivery charge goes to the driver; it doesn't!

If you can't afford to tip 15-20%, you can't afford to eat out.

(I have friends in the business and believe me I tip very well!)

[Gillianren]

People taking your call in call centers are people, too--if you're having a problem with the product, odds are very good indeed that it isn't their fault. (Also note that they don't set the rules and usually can't change them.)

Always be aware of people in your immediate vicinity. If you accidentally bump into someone, excuse yourself! If you notice that your child is doing it, make them stop! (I once had a kid repeatedly whack me with her backpack while we were standing in line to ride Pirates of the Caribbean at Disneyland. Her father gave me a long-suffering look when he noticed it, but he didn't stop her.)

[paulie jay]

Here's a tip. If you're coming through Customs in Sydney and feel you want to be witty - don't.

[HenrikOlsen]

Here's a tip. If you're coming through Customs in Sydney and feel you want to be witty - don't.

Here's a tip. If you're going through an international airport with someone and you think you can be witty because you're speaking another language than they do in that airport - don't. They understand the word Bomb everywhere, not knowing your language just means they don't understand the rest of the joke.

[worzel]

Here's some advice for all call center policy makers. Train the staff to recognize when they can't help you (they probably know that already) and probably more to the point, give them the ability to transfer you to someone who can. I know it's not the fault of the person I am speaking to, but when I have no choice but to speak to that person then who else am I supposed to vent my spleen at?

[darkhunter]

There is no such thing as a "fast lane." People go fast in both lanes. The left lane is for passing. If you are not actually passing someone, get the heck out of the left lane so that other people can pass YOU.

Now, if you're thinking to yourself "but, but I can't change lanes! There's another car there!!!" Guess what. It's your fault that you can't change lanes. You chose to get into the passing lane when you didn't have the ability or desire to pass. It's your fault you're there, now it's your responsibility to fix it. Even if you have to (omg!) slow down and change lanes, you still have to do it.

And don't tailgate the guy in the passing lane that is doing the speed limit and is passing a vehicle not going the speed limit--and then don't cut off the vehicle they are passing and undertake the guy doing the speed limit who is about to pull back into the normal lane after getting a safe distance in front of the guy that was just passed....

Note: The basic rule of thumb for the safe distance to pull back over is when you can see the vehicle you just passed the rear-veiw mirror on your windsheid (assumeing it properly adjusted).

[rant] I've almost taken out a few idiots in the UK that did that to me--they ignore the fact that by tailgating they get into the blind spot of my vehicle, and they go to undertake by moving into another blind spot... Though I noticed most of them were driving the top-of-the-line luxury cars or were boy racers (but mostly luxury cars--the racers put to much time and hard-earned money ito their cars to wreck them for no reason. [/rant]

[Donnie B.]

Never draw to an inside straight. Unless it's also a possible flush.

[Gillianren]

Here's some advice for all call center policy makers. Train the staff to recognize when they can't help you (they probably know that already) and probably more to the point, give them the ability to transfer you to someone who can. I know it's not the fault of the person I am speaking to, but when I have no choice but to speak to that person then who else am I supposed to vent my spleen at?

Amen! When I worked in a call center, we literally couldn't transfer anybody anywhere.

[paulie jay]

Here's a tip. If you're going through an international airport with someone and you think you can be witty because you're speaking another language than they do in that airport - don't. They understand the word Bomb everywhere, not knowing your language just means they don't understand the rest of the joke.

In fact, always assume that there are officers nearby who can speak your languange. One of the great benefits of equal employment opportunity is that we at Customs are rarely in a position where communication is a big problem.


Here's my next tip of the day - if you work at Subway, please listen properly the first time a customer gives their order, rather than asking them to repeat bits of it over and over again.

[TheBlackCat]

Seeing eye dogs are not pets. They are working. Do not pet them or otherwise treat them as pets, or make any attempt to distract them.

Everybody appreciates someone holding the door for them. But not letting a woman hold the door for you if you are a man is often not appreciated.

Dsiabled people are perfectly capable of taking care of themselves in most situations, don't try to help them unless they request it.

If you see a "danger: pickpockets" sign, do not check to see if your wallet is still there. That will tell them where your wallet is.

[Maksutov]

1. Hang up and drive.

2. The rear view mirror is NOT for doing your makeup or fixing your hair while your car is in motion.

3. See that lever on the side of the steering column? It operates something called the "turn signal": try using it before you make turns or change lanes.

[TheOncomingStorm]

Well the thing about the call center i work is that not only the people who do blame you every little mistake we also have to but up with some of the ideas higher ups make. And about witty remakes at an airport or customs desks you will not be able to that but if your american citizen crossing the Maine border you can bring a bloody chainsaw and sword across from New Brunswick (real story a year or so back I still can not get over it).

[Maksutov]

Well the thing about the call center i work is that not only the people who do blame you every little mistake we also have to but up with some of the ideas higher ups make. And about witty remakes at an airport or customs desks you will not be able to that but if your american citizen crossing the Maine border you can bring a bloody chainsaw and sword across from New Brunswick (real story a year or so back I still can not get over it).

We had a thread about that on the BABB about a year ago.

[farmerjumperdon]

You can not bend a cracker.

[ktesibios]

There is no such thing as a "fast lane." People go fast in both lanes. The left lane is for passing. If you are not actually passing someone, get the heck out of the left lane so that other people can pass YOU.

Now, if you're thinking to yourself "but, but I can't change lanes! There's another car there!!!" Guess what. It's your fault that you can't change lanes. You chose to get into the passing lane when you didn't have the ability or desire to pass. It's your fault you're there, now it's your responsibility to fix it. Even if you have to (omg!) slow down and change lanes, you still have to do it.

Maybe in Florida, but not everywhere. According to the California Driver's Handbook:

Traffic lanes are often referred to by number. The left or “fast” lane is called the “No. 1 Lane.” The lanes to the right of the No. 1 lane are called the No. 2 lane, then the No. 3 lane. etc.

Drive in the lane with the smoothest flow of traffic. If you can choose among three lanes, pick the middle lane for the smoothest driving. To drive faster, pass, or turn left, use the left lane. When you choose to drive slowly or enter or turn off the road, use the right lane.

If there are only two lanes in your direction, pick the right lane for the smoothest driving.

(bolding mine)

Most state DMVs have their driver's manuals available online. If you're going to be driving in a different state, take a little time to check out their driver's manual to see what might be different from your home state.

By way of example, here in California you can complete a left turn into any lane you can drive in legally and enter safely. Next door in Nevada, you're required to complete a left turn in the leftmost traffic lane going in your direction.

[Gillianren]

In Washington, oddly, it is considered legal for the pedestrian to cross in the middle of the street provided there is no light at either of the nearest intersections. While I do take advantage of this in certain locations (not much on my own street; visibility's too erratic), I still think it's very weird.

Note to drivers: honking does not necessarily make people go faster, especially if they're already driving at the legal speed limit. What's more, pedestrians actually have the right of way ahead of you; stop for them!

On that last--I live a few blocks away from our county courthouse and jail. This means, among other things, that we get a lot of county vehicles in my neighborhood. (There's also quite a few state offices, but no state vehicles.) And cops. In general, the rule of thumb at our crosswalk is to wait until you see a cop or a county vehicle, just to be sure they'll stop. (Obviously, this is not always necessary, but they will always stop.) So one day, I was crossing the street to my neighbors', and a county vehicle for me stopped at the crosswalk. I was crossing (walking with a stick, as I always do), and another car pulled into the turn lane to pass the county vehicle!

[SolusLupus]

Asking lots of questions in class is not appreciated. Answering a lot of them is. Most people don't like answering questions, if you answer a question that means the teacher will not call on them. Asking questions wastes class time and makes class run longer.

Even if the questions are important, key to the topic, questions that others wanted to ask but weren't willing to, and if there was actually class time available to "spend" on the questions?

Saying, "questions are bad" seems pretty silly to me. Maybe "useless" questions, yes, but the reason to ask questions is to help reinforce learning; and if it's not a question that's immediately relevant to the subject matter, then yes, I would agree; wait until after class, when the instructor has a bit of time to delve into more "meaningless" conversation (at least, meaningless in reference to the class).

I have some experience with knowing when to and when not to ask questions. And I love the instructors that encourage student involvement in a lecture (I.E., discussion and questions; to get them actually interested and thinking on the topic, instead of merely listening)

[farmerjumperdon]

Even if the questions are important, key to the topic, questions that others wanted to ask but weren't willing to, and if there was actually class time available to "spend" on the questions?

Saying, "questions are bad" seems pretty silly to me. Maybe "useless" questions, yes, but the reason to ask questions is to help reinforce learning; and if it's not a question that's immediately relevant to the subject matter, then yes, I would agree; wait until after class, when the instructor has a bit of time to delve into more "meaningless" conversation (at least, meaningless in reference to the class).

I have some experience with knowing when to and when not to ask questions. And I love the instructors that encourage student involvement in a lecture (I.E., discussion and questions; to get them actually interested and thinking on the topic, instead of merely listening)

I wondered about that one. I figured it was sarcasm.

[aurora]

3. See that lever on the side of the steering column? It operates something called the "turn signal": try using it before you make turns or change lanes.

In Michigan, especially around Detroit, drivers do not use their turn signals. In fact, if you use yours, they will move to cut you off so that you cannot change lanes. So you either have to avoid using your turn signal, or signal that you are going to go in a different direction so that you can fake them out. I'm actually not completely joking.

I like people I've met from Michigan, but within the US, I think the worst drivers are in Detroit.

If this is a pet peeve thread, here's mine:

When waiting at baggage claim at the airport, waiting for your luggage to come out on the moving conveyor, stand about 3 feet back and wait until your bag appears to step forward. If everyone did that, then it would avoid a lot of pushing and crushing and stress.

[mugaliens]

Save energy - use your headphones. I don't care if you can't hear sirens and horns honking around you, because you certainly can't hear them anyway with your 2,000 Watt system going THOOOM-THOOM-THOOM at 3 am.

[SolusLupus]

Save energy - use your headphones. I don't care if you can't hear sirens and horns honking around you, because you certainly can't hear them anyway with your 2,000 Watt system going THOOOM-THOOM-THOOM at 3 am.

Or at ANYTIME!

COMPLETELY agreed.

Why the heck do people drive around with their speakers on at full audio, with that "sub-woofer" thing?

It gives my mother and myself a pretty nasty migraine every time we're exposed to it. The fact that it's so commonplace just seems to me to be a big sign that many people are utterly lacking in any consideration for someone else besides themselves.

[TheBlackCat]

Even if the questions are important, key to the topic, questions that others wanted to ask but weren't willing to, and if there was actually class time available to "spend" on the questions?

You have to weigh how much it will annoy people versus how important it is to you and the class. Any question will annoy some people to some degree, but at a certain point it becomes more beneficial to ask the question and annoy a few people than not.

[worzel]

You have to weigh how much it will annoy people versus how important it is to you and the class. Any question will annoy some people to some degree, but at a certain point it becomes more beneficial to ask the question and annoy a few people than not.

I thought this was an odd thing to say as well (the "don't ask lots of questions" bit). I thought the whole point of lectures was the interaction. If it's all one way you might as well just read a book and just have Q&A tutorials with the lecturers and skip the lectures all together.

[Tinaa]

Haven't you ever sat in a class with that one person, who obviously didn't read the assigned text, and think, "I wish s/he'd just shut up and read the stinkin' assignment before class."

[worzel]

Haven't you ever sat in a class with that one person, who obviously didn't read the assigned text, and think, "I wish s/he'd just shut up and read the stinkin' assignment before class."

Yeah, but most of them dropped out in the first year