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Please Say Yes or No…

As much as I hate the automated phone systems that have taken over society, I have gotten used to them. “Press 1 for yes, 2 for no.” That I can handle. The latest technology wave? Voice activated systems. And I have to be honest. They drive me NUTS. I just called in to Travelocity.com regarding a ticket reservation. The lovely female voice greets you with a friendly, “Thank you for calling Travelocity. Would you like to …” and lists off items. No instructions – I guess you’re just supposed to know to talk back at this computer. I didn’t. I waited a second or two for the numeric menu options. Finally I realized what I was supposed to do. The whole menu was voice activated like that, and only once did she say, “Please say yes or no.” It was a relief when I hit the part where I was allowed to key in they trip reservation code instead of having to read out a 12 digit number. Thank goodness. But overall? I don’t like them. I prefer the human touch, and the fake computer woman wasn’t cutting it. What do you think?

By Christine

Christine is an Avenger of Sexiness. Her Superpower is helping Hot Mamas grow their Confidence by rediscovering their Beauty. She lives in the Heights in Houston, Texas, works as a boudoir photographer, and writes about running a Business of Awesome. In her spare time, she loves to knit, especially when she travels. She & her husband Mike have a food blog at Spoon & Knife.

12 replies on “Please Say Yes or No…”

I just went to this exact same scenario with sprintpcs. They actually “name” their voice “claire” and give a few directions, but I still found it more confusing than pressing buttons. I suppose for disabled persons, this might be a good idea, but perhaps they could give us a choice?

Try calling such a system through a TTY and relay operator! Typical call:

Me: Please call 972-555-5555.

Relay: Dialing. Ringing 1… recording. Thank you for calling Humanless Company. Press 1 for customer service. Press 2 to update your account… you get the idea.

Me: Press 4.

Relay: It’s hung up. Redialing to Press 4. Pressed 4. Press 1 for so and so. Press 2 for this. Press…

Me: Press 2.

Relay: It’s hung up. Pressed 4. Pressed 2.

Rinse, Lather, Repeat this hell until I miraculously find my way somewhere.

Ha, that’s like my school. If you skip class some bloody robot calls you and goes: “This is Thornlea Secondary Calling. A student in your household in Grade 9, was absent during period 4…” and so forth, and they give you like a million Press 1 to call the office, Press 2 to hear this message again, options it drives me insane. After you press one press more hundred buttons and say things, and oh dear, It’s pain in the butt.

Haha, I just rambled on and on, hope you don’t mind.

I agree. I usually screw around with them (saying things like “cat” or “dog” when I’m supposed to be saying “yes” or “no”) until they put me on with a real person. I’m not being totally obnoxious, they usually can’t get past my southern accent, anyway.

Rachel, ramble all you want! Isn’t that what comments are for?

Todd, if I hear that on my phone, I think I’ll run screaming from it!

Shannon, that’s a GREAT idea! Next time I think I’ll try that. “Please say yes or no.” “Chicken”. See? That would be perfect!

I absolutely cannot stand voice systems. I deliberately refuse to push any buttons and wait for a real person. Usually it’s faster.

The longest run around I ever got following menus/voices was with my cell phone company!!!!! And I got charged for it. ggggrrrrr

Usually saying nothing gets you to the operator quickly, so that’s what I do. 🙂

With button-mashing systems, just hit 0 over and over again.

Automated: “Press 1 for…”
Me: 0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0
Operator: “How can I help you?”

That usually gets it.

I agree with you completely – the ones that really irk are the ones where I answer the phone to be greated with, “Please hold for an important call.” If it were important they would have been there when I answered the phone.

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