Holy blood pressure! Let me calm down again...
As easily predicted, I have just been on the phone once again with another Dutch Customer "SERVICE" (quotations right there so) line that called me to infuriate me to my wit's end. This time, it was an ADSL company.
I had my left number a few days ago to get them to call me, just to inquire about possibly signing up. But today, when I picked up and told him right away that I couldn't make a decision today about it, he tried to close the call immediately. Hoping to get at least one question in, I asked him how long it would take to get connected if I was going to start a new account.
"I can't tell you that, I would need your details," he stated matter-of-factly.
"But I just want to know how long it takes to set up an account with you-" I jabbed in.
"I can't help you with that. I don't know, I'm sorry, I don't know."
"How can you not know, you work for the company!"
"Yes but I'm sorry I can't help you, I don't have your details."
"So you called for nothing, you can't help me with anything at all, what-"
"I'm sorry, I don't know. I can't help you, when you want to sign up you can call again and leave your number. I can't help you-"
"So you can't help me with anything,"
"No, I'm sorry, I don't know-""Yea yea, thanks for NOTHING!" *click*
ARRRRRGHGGHG!!!!!!!!!! I've been sheltered for the past while from the slow, lazy, dumb and fat-headed ways of the Dutch, ever since working in an American company where the Dutch are mostly "second-class" workers (janitors, store workers, reception, cantine, etc.) and have adopted a very American way of being. By this I mean, they smile, they are friendly, eager to help, and very, very nice people. Real Dutch people, however, are another story as you would know if you have ever lived in Holland for more than a year. OMG!!!!!
I seriously had a spike in my heart rate after that phone call and I'm going to avoid having any contact with the "real" Dutch from now on. Especially if it's got anything to do with administration! Geez!!
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3 comments:
Interesting.
So what can you do when problem has happen in the Netherlands??
Even such a country, I'm v looking forward to seeing you there on Nov!!
I can't believe how long it's been since I read your blog. When are you coming back?
One of the favorite expressions used by Dutch customer service is "That is not possible." You don't know how many times I heard it when I was living in the Dam.
"Can I get a salad instead of fries?"
"That is not possible."
"Since the bank owes me EUR20 due to a bank error, could you take it off from this fee you're charging me for a bank draft?"
"That is not possible."
"Can I get have your extension number so that I don't have to use the Dutch menu system that I don't understand?"
"That is not possible."
If the US is the land of opportunity, The Netherlands must be the land of impossibility.
Maybe the Dutch motto should be, "The Netherlands...where dreams and innovations go to die."
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