MetaChat - I feel bad when

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26 October 2006

I feel bad when I've obviously been routed to a customer service center in India, and the obviously Indian person talking to me must claim to have a Western name. It seems so dehumanizing. →[More:] Unless "Heidi" is sweeping the sub-continent, in which case I humbly withdraw my sympathy.

post by: occhiblu at: 11:03 | 14 comments

I feel sorrier about the fact they're being exploited and that they were hired to replace laid-off American workers, and that Rush Limbaugh type pundits use the situation to pit worker against worker while the CEO of the company buys himself a new solid gold jockstrap.

posted by jonmc 26 October | 11:07

I also object to being wished a "Happy Holidays" without being able to return the sentiment.. Umm... Happy.. Diwali?

posted by Triode 26 October | 11:08

Happy Eid?

posted by Triode 26 October | 11:10

We've had a few workers in India, and none have Western names. Luckily, we don't have to talk to them on the phone, because I'm sure I'd totally butcher their names, eee.

posted by ThePinkSuperhero 26 October | 11:16

Anna Nicole Smith was born Vickie Lynn Hogan.

posted by danostuporstar 26 October | 11:17

Although Smith was her married name, from her first marriage.

posted by ThePinkSuperhero 26 October | 11:25

Why do I know these things? Le sigh.

posted by ThePinkSuperhero 26 October | 11:26

I once talked to a support fellah with a thick ass Indian accent who identified himself as Tom Cruise, I did my business with him and then said I was concerned that he might not have all the facts about the negative aspects of Scientology. He asked me if there was anything else he could help me with and then wished me a "Good Day, Sir."

posted by Divine_Wino 26 October | 11:42

They made me call myself Sanjay at my last job.

posted by Hugh Janus 26 October | 11:42

HAH!

posted by Divine_Wino 26 October | 12:32

First skit on GGM.

posted by Eideteker 26 October | 12:43

If we're talking fake names, then my favourite is the rapper Genuwine who was born Elgin Lumpkin.

We've just a load of stuff migrated out to India. What's really frustrating is that, although there's a huge comprehension gap between us and them, it's hard to feel angry as it's not their fault and they're always so polite.

posted by TheDonF 26 October | 13:45

My cousin worked in one of them call centers in India, and she was given an official American name (and was mercilessly teased about it at home) but seriously they get so much shit from belligerent callers that it seems a small sacrifice for the sake of sanity...

posted by dhruva 26 October | 20:51

Yeah, dhruva, I figured that was the reason, and *that* seems even sadder.

posted by occhiblu 26 October | 22:18

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