AT&T just told me to have a "blessed" day

[GAspnes]

Got a call on an overdue long distance charge. No problem, paid by credit card (musta missed sending the check -- I'm usually pretty good about that stuff), and after I was told the charge had gone through, the call center guy said, "Thank you. Have a blessed ('blest', not 'blessED') day."

First time I've heard that. I'm positive he didn't say "nice", or "better".

Should I call AT&T and mention it?

[frank frankly]

1. yep

give them a call!

[liberalman11]

2. Blessed? like Bless this food?

I don't quite see what you are complaining about here, sounds like a strange thing that guy said once.

[wryter2000]

3. Please

I don't want a dose of religion when I do business with someone.

[Fish Eye]

30. religion???

hmmmmm

[Hieronymus]

4. I had a

service woman go nuts because I said "what the hell" in our conversation. She said if you continue to "cuss" I'll hang up. I spoke to her supervisor and got an apology.:wtf:

She was obviously some right wing nut "christian".

[Capn Sunshine]

9. I have a fundie here; I respect her beliefs

she is unobtrusive and non judgemental ( except when she gets home I bet)and while we are all aware of her strong beliefs, she doesn't let it bleed over into work. Like telling clients or investors "Have a Blessed day"

She can do what ever she wants, I just won't discuss beliefs systems with her.

She's very , very good at what she does.

[REP]

10. Not Necessarily

TelCo employees are generally told that they do not have to put up with insulting or offensive language. I have told callers that I will discontinue the call if they continue to use abusive language, and I am not any kind of Xian. I wouldn't do that on "what the hell" unless the customer was rude in other ways.

[Don_G]

20. As An Ex-TelCo Employee

We were much more instructed on now "not" to use offensive language than we were to respond to it---transfer the call to your supervisor.

Personally, I don't like discussing anything with a "Fundie." They assume you share their same "core" values, and once they realize you don't they try to convert you.

I can't guarentee it, but "I'm assuming my grasp on reality is based more upon factual data their own dreams.

[REP]

26. As a Current LEC Employee

I work for the Largest LEC, and we are instructed that we do not have to put up with rude and abusive language. We are required to tell the caller that if they continue, we regret we will have to end the call. A few years ago, we had to take it, but finally common sense reigned, and the new policy was instated about 7 years ago.

The only customer who tried to convert me was the priggish deadbeat who said she'd "pray" that I became a "good Catholic." I just said that I forgave her.

[ShaneGR]

Gees, talk about over-reaction

Do you get angry when you sneeze and people say Bless you?

You're going to call AT&T customer service and complain that someone wished you a blessed day?

[Kamika]

5. You definetly have too much time on your hands

lol to even consider calling them because of this :)

[REP]

6. Were You Offended?

If so, give them a call and maybe his supervisor will have a talk with him about it.

Generally, TelCo employees are told to avoid saying anything of a religious nature that might offend a caller. Since "blessed" isn't particular to one religion, the employee probably thought it was acceptable. I would agree, but it takes a lot to knot my panties.

[QC]

7. I wish that was the worst thing I had to worry about right now.

Geez Louise!

[DUreader]

8. Please complain

[blm]

11. Yes...and if you write, cc your local newspaper.

I'd alert some larger news service, too. Like Tribune or Knight Ridder.

[REP]

17. I Doubt Tribune or Knight-Ridder

would particularly give a shit about what ONE employee said! If a complaint is made to AT&T, the most that would probably happen is that person's supervisor might possibly tell him that one person found it offensive, and to say something else. Since the rep didn't say Have a Blessed Samhain or Have a Blessed All Saints' Day or Have a Blessed Ramadan or Have a Blessed Yom Kippur, I doubt much action will be taken against the employee, as "blessed" is sufficiently vague.

[blm]

23. I dunno....this probably isn't the only one.

It would be worth monitoring for a news story.

[Hoppin_Mad]

12. Why didn't you retort back

" hail satan, prince of darkness " ?

Always works for me ;-)

[Kamika]

14. If he's the prince

Whos the king?

[Hoppin_Mad]

15. Perle !

nt

[goobergunch]

19. Wrong

It's Cheney. :P

[ShaneGR]

16. LOL! False Prophet, May You Burn In Hell! nt

[ParanoidPat]

13. Did he have an accent?

I got a 'reminder' call two days ago (On the SAME day my bill showed up in the mail!) and the person who called had such a thick accent that I could hardly understand them. I asked if the call was from India and they responded yes! Screw AT&T! If American Telephone & Telegraph won't hire Americans, I'm switching to Working Assets for my long distance carrier. :evilgrin:

[REP]

18. Working Assets Is a Sprint Company

Just so you know.

[ParanoidPat]

21. Do you have a link to clarify "a Sprint Company"?

This is from their About Us page,

Working Assets is a long distance, wireless, credit card and broadcasting company that was created to build a world that is more just, humane and environmentally sustainable. Since Working Assets was created in 1985, the company has raised $35 million by helping people make a difference in the world through progressive philanthropy and political activism.

Working Assets donates a portion of its revenue to nonprofit groups working for peace, human rights, equality, education and the environment. The company also acts as a strong political force, dedicated to giving its customers the opportunity to speak out on critical public issues.

Since 1985, Working Assets has funded hundreds of progressive nonprofits, including Greenpeace, Planned Parenthood, Oxfam America, Rainforest Action Network, Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Sierra Club, Ms. Foundation, Children's Defense Fund, AIDS Action Council and Amnesty International, among others. The organizations fall into five categories: Economic & Social Justice, Environment, Civil Rights, Peace & International Freedom and Education & Freedom of Expression. For a list of the 2003 donations recipients, click here.

Every year, a percentage of Working Assets revenue is placed in a donations pool for annual distribution. These funds come from the top line (sales), not bottom-line (profits), so donations are made whether or not we make a profit.

<more>

No mention of Sprint. :shrug:

[REP]

25. Yup - Me

I work for The Largest LEC. Working Assets is Sprint.

[LizW]

22. Are you in the south?

I hear that all the time here. In the grocery check out, at the fast food drive through. I don't mind it myself, it's lots better than the surly treatment you get lots of places.

[KFC]

24. Hell, call the cops

I'm shocked at this level of abuse.

[RuB]

27. Hell yes! Call and write! Maybe you'll get your 15 minutes of fame.

nt

[TrogL]

28. yes

A company that big should have a "no religion" policy in place...which is being violated.

[Fish Eye]

31. religion?????

where???

[not_in_my_name]

29. Don't call - write a letter

I'm getting more than a little annoyed with this kind of crap. "Have a blessed day" belongs at home, at a place of worship, among like-thinking friends, or a christian singles gathering - to name a few - but not in a place of business. Every other car on the road sports a "god bless america" sign. If there is a god, I would think she's pretty pissed off about now - considering all that's been done in her name.

[Fish Eye]

32. pssst..

ever hear of the first amendment....

[not_in_my_name]

33. You mean the one

we're allowed to practice in "free-speech zones"? That one?

[liberalcapitalist]

34. i'm an atheist

but you're taking things WAY too far if you feel the need to make a call over this.

You should have just said "no thanks."

[Cronus Protagonist]

35. Well, did you or did you not have a blessed day? (eom)

Click Here To See Fair & Balanced Buttons, Stickers & Magnets

[SpaceCatMeetsMars]

37. Well, what is a blessed day? How do we know if we had one?

I've never heard this term. If someone said it to me, I would definitely say, "What does that mean?" out of curiosity.

[Enjolras]

36. Have an enlightened, godless day!

Or how about "Goodbye, and may Gaya bless you?" or "Have a secular humanist day"? Do you think YOU would receive any customer complaints from the recipients of one of these well-intentioned wishes? Bet you would.

It really shouldn't be any grounds for objection, but then again, there's that damn double standard!!

[Rowdyboy]

38. Its a common expression among southern blacks....

They do not mean to insult you, they are not trying to convert you, they merely wish you well. Its a cultural response. If you're into insulting and demeaning black people for exercising their culture, by all means report this terrible misbehavior.

Personally, I just smile and say "Thank you" or "you too". They're trying to be friendly. Guess being polite doesn't play too well outside the south.