Hate them or love them, receptions are here to stay

In recent weeks, the heightened noise levels and even the rampant litter or dumping levels have been highlighted. Now it is always good to note an increase even if this particular increase annoys you to hell and gone, but what about the decreases?
Those things that suddenly start lessening and lessening and eventually disappear such as; hmmm… decreases in the show of respect, decreases in the execution of fairness and even decreases in telephone etiquette.
Now the latter troubles me most. It is believed the person who answers your phone (at a business of course – your mother answering your phone and lying to your teacher about your new illness – pretendacitis, is not counted) is the face of the business.
That person portrays your business and is the ambassador of your logo. Or, as it says in commercials advertising courses for receptionists and secretaries, because in actual fact that is not the case in most incidences.
Generally one is met with a lazy voice on the phone, I mean duh your service is not paying my salary so to hell with you. Then the need for introductions is out the door, who has time to say ‘Magdalene’s hair, Shahrukh Khan speaking how may I help you?’ Nope, a simple ‘what?’ will do.
Now this can be really annoying, especially when you have inadvertently dialled the wrong number and have relayed your story, and the reason for the call, four times to four different people before you are told you have called a hardware business and not a hospital.
That may seem frustrating, but it is nothing compared to having the phone ring and ring and go days with no one answering.
You would swear there is no receptionist but when you pop by, aha! there she is chatting away and couldn’t care less that the phone is ringing off its hook.
You also get the very straightforward type, no ‘hello how are you?’ No siree, I want to know what you want and that’s that.
These types are not as frustrating as the ‘no introduction’ ones, but they sure don’t sell your business well. Especially when you call a doctor’s surgery, not a word can get in with these types and they say with clicking tongues and all ‘cash or medical aid?’ three times and then put the phone down.
Or they tell you ‘angithi I’m here when you ask to speak to a doctor’.
Not all receptionists are bad though. Some are really friendly, if not too friendly, and they call you doll, ask about your family and even comment on your dress sense.
Some even go as far as advising you on matters that are way beyond their field. For example if you seek legal advice, they won’t refer you to the lawyer. No, they will start quoting the bill of rights left, right and centre even though the lawyer is standing there waiting to assist.
But hey whether they are the no-introduction, straightforward or over-helpful types they are here to stay.
So suck it up and count to ten before calling a company.