Red Cushion

The Inconsiderance of Convenience

Every Friday morning is our weekly sales meeting at work. For those who don't know me well, I am a Financial Specialist for Wachovia Bank, the forth largest Bank in the United States. Actually, I just found out this morning that I am now a Small Business Fin. Specialist, which basically means I get to spend more time focusing on Small Business needs in the Vero Beach, FL area, which I think is Awesome because I really enjoy working with Small Business. Anyways as I was saying...

Last friday was no different in regards to the typical discussion concerning sales goals, service scores, and customer satisfaction ratings. In the discussion of the later, that being Customer Service, the topic of Cell Phone usage came up. No, not usage by employee's rather usage by customers.

Remember back in the day when you had to know a member of the are "Grapevine" to know the area gossip, or the happenings in the lives of other people? Well those days are gone and all you need now is either perectly healthy ears, or a good set of hearing aids. Last friday morning the Tellers in my office began a discussion concerning the handling of cash transactions while the customer at their window was conducting a conversation on their cell phone.

This presents a few problems, first of all, it's plain rude. Secondly, how can the customer be sure that their transaction is handled correctly? If you carring on, did the teller give you 5 twenty dollar bills or 4? That is why our tellers handle the situation properly and that is to simply stop the transaction until the Customer has finished the phone call. Cash is always counted back, with the customers UNDIVIDED attention. This also has ripple down effect...

Ever get stuck in a line behind the person who is now holding things up beacuse of their "important" phone call? Or how about hearing the latest fight between Suzy Jean, and Bobby Sue over Suzy's ex-boyfriend Steve? Nothing like going to a professional establishment like a Bank only to get an audio version of the Jerry Springer Show.

From my perspective I have two view points and pet peeves. The first as a Banker is that my time is very valuable. I'm sure that your's is too, but my schedule is non stop from the time that I walk in the dorr to the time I leave for the day. Even then I sit at home sondering what I may have not finished before coming home. So please show respect for my time, and save the conversations for when your no longer on my schedule. I reserved that time for you, reserve it for me as well.

The other annoyance with cell phones comes in Church. Listen, I'll keep this brief because the point is a short but sharp one. Church is a time for you to stregnthen the relationship between you and your God. If god is your top priority (as it shoudl, epecially in attending church) what then has a higher priority that you must have your cell phone with you and with the ringer on. Unless you are a public servant (Fire, Police, etc.) or a Medical Professional (I.E. Doctor on call), leave off, or better yet, leave it at home.

-Ben