Friday OT #1 - You're Just a Turd Out There

[Angie]

I had to leave a company a voicemail this morning, and had the same problem that I always do - I start off strong and organized, I think of a bunch of extra information that I feel like I need to add in, and then it devolves into this mess of word vomit through which someone has to sort. Voicemail is my kryptonite, I'm just terrible at it.

Are there every day activities that you have to do on occasion and are just the worst at it, no matter how you try and prepare in advance?

 

[MeanDean]

Similar. I hate cold calling someone. If I already know the person I'm fine or even if we've never actually met but have finally established a good working relationship via phone it's no problem. I don't like my voice so I'm always assuming people's first impression of me, if it's hearing me only, will be negative. And then basing my fears on that, I also tend to fall into the same verbal mumbling and half thought stuff like Angie is mentioning.

When I was still working I had to have a pretty strong outline with all my points/questions there in front of me before I would cold call someone. Even then it could sometimes be a real psych-myself-up situation to make the call.

 

[cyfanatic13]

I just hate talking on the phone in general. It’s probably the millennial in me but if it’s something that can be discussed with a quick email or text, I’ll go that route as much as possible. I’m completely comfortable talking in person to friends, strangers, etc. but something about on the phone that I hate

 

[Angie]

Similar. I hate cold calling someone. If I already know the person I'm fine or even if we've never actually met but have finally established a good working relationship via phone it's no problem. I don't like my voice so I'm always assuming people's first impression of me, if it's hearing me only, will be negative. And then basing my fears on that, I also tend to fall into the same verbal mumbling and half thought stuff like Angie is mentioning.

When I was still working I had to have a pretty strong outline with all my points/questions there in front of me before I would cold call someone. Even then it could sometimes be a real psych-myself-up situation to make the call.

I had an old boyfriend who once described me telling a story as me trying to run a 100-yd dash, but running off-course several times to grab a hurdle and put it in the middle of my path, then repeating that a few times. I think I leave voicemail in the same way.

 

[Al_4_State]

There are times where text is more efficient, and times where calling is, and I get annoyed when people don't know the difference.

Having an extended conversation via text message is a ******* beating. By the same token, if you have something to communicate that can be done via single text, don't call.

Basically, if you can say something in one text, text. If it will take multiple texts, call.

 

[Al_4_State]

And yes, I'm ******* terrible at voice mail too.

 

[BuffettClone]

There are times where text is more efficient, and times where calling is, and I get annoyed when people don't know the difference.

Having an extended conversation via text message is a ******* beating. By the same token, if you have something to communicate that can be done via single text, don't call.

Basically, if you can say something in one text, text. If it will take multiple texts, call.

The thing that annoys me is when you're included in a group text and 2 or 3 of the others decide to make a long texting party about any topic other than the original. You're then left getting notifications left and right about texts you care nothing about.

 

[Angie]

There are times where text is more efficient, and times where calling is, and I get annoyed when people don't know the difference.

Having an extended conversation via text message is a ******* beating. By the same token, if you have something to communicate that can be done via single text, don't call.

Basically, if you can say something in one text, text. If it will take multiple texts, call.

I almost always prefer to text to avoid conversations, but also don't want my phone buzzing every 15 seconds. I almost always try to email a business first if I have to communicate with them, just because I hate the phone so much.

 

[Cyclonepride]

I suck at small talk. Give me a mission/purpose for talking to someone, and I think I'm a very effective communicator, but put me in a space with someone with nothing in particular to do or accomplish, and I've got nothing.

 

[BCClone]

I'm bad at voice mail also. What's even worse is when I organize my voice mail response for that place I always get voice mail and whammo, the SOB picks up and now I sound like I've had a 12 pack right before calling them and get rattled by actually talking to the person.

 

[BCClone]

In person, I can be hot and cold and many times it's determined by me. I have had to do enough sales that I can talk to just about anyone and make it seem like I enjoy it. Problem is, I really dislike people in general, so many times when I don't have to deal with them I will just totally avoid interacting with people even in a crowd.

 

[cycloner29]

I've been phone interviewing prospective candidates for a position we have open. Pretty much cold calling stuff. I actually enjoy it once they call back.

I've had to leave voicemails and I think I tend to start off the message slow and at the end I seem to say like 50 words in about 10 seconds, like rattling off my phone number super fast.

 

[Dandy]

Pooping at work. Hate it.

 

[Jmarsh13]

Hate people that leave a 2-second voice mail that only says "It's xxx. Call me." I can see by the caller ID who it is and that you called.

 

[khardbored]

I've been phone interviewing prospective candidates for a position we have open. Pretty much cold calling stuff. I actually enjoy it once they call back.

I've had to leave voicemails and I think I tend to start off the message slow and at the end I seem to say like 50 words in about 10 seconds, like rattling off my phone number super fast.

As a guy who has to listen to and return a lot of voicemails, I've been on the other end! And, in our system, there is no way to "just" back up 10 seconds, if you don't catch the number the first time, you have to listen to the entire VM again. Urgh.

 

[khardbored]

People are bad a voicemail in general. In a business setting, don't assume that I know who you are and don't assume I know your number. For example:

"Hey. It's Bob. Give me a call."

Ok, "Bob," I have no idea who you are. I don't know your phone number.

 

[SCyclone]

I'm not good at giving people bad news, especially at work. When somebody orders something, and they've been waiting a long time for it, and then it comes in wrong, or damaged....man, I hate telling people about that.

I've been known to do it over the phone - sometimes even hoping I can leave a voice mail, because I'm such a chickenshit - because I just hate telling people bad news.

 

[coolerifyoudid]

People are bad a voicemail in general. In a business setting, don't assume that I know who you are and don't assume I know your number. For example:

"Hey. It's Bob. Give me a call."

Ok, "Bob," I have no idea who you are. I don't know your phone number.

I leave a number of voice mails daily and I feel like I have it down to a science.

"Hi, this is Coolerifyoudid from X Company. My phone number is 555 (slight pause) 555 5555. <insert reason I'm calling> Again, my phone number is 555 555 5555. Thank you"

I always say my number at the beginning and the end.

 

[coolerifyoudid]

The other day while I was getting ready for work, I got a toe hooked on the inseam of my pants while putting a leg in and ended up doing the Humpty Dance in my bedroom.

 

[BCClone]

The other day while I was getting ready for work, I got a toe hooked on the inseam of my pants while putting a leg in and ended up doing the Humpty Dance in my bedroom.

Required post now: