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I worked in a call center during high school. Everyone is there just for the paycheck. These call centers are usually in places with terrible economies and these centers are the only job option for many people.

I worked alongside many people in their 60s. Imagine doing that as a retirement plan.




I accept that it sounds intensely condescending and harsh. I present it as an alternative to either screaming profanity (which they hear non-stop, all day), or meekly accepting the "there's nothing that can be done" lie they are instructed to feed you to get you off the phone in minimum time.

Nine times out of ten, you'll get a dismissive hangup but every once in a while it shatters the script and you'll get a quick story of someone trapped in a bad situation and then a quick word of advice on how to proceed in a a way that will get results.

Its a rhetorical phone nuke. Use it carefully. I started using it about 5 years ago when I noticed that the "heartfelt plea" had utterly stopped working.

I also use it often when "Microsoft tech support" calls me to tell me that they have detected that my computer has a virus. Its a touch more appropriate in that situation.




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