Oh, the things people put up with to make a living! If you’ve been in business long, I know you hear some crazy requests. The 911 operators do. I was hired to lead a creativity seminar for city workers in Charlotte, North Carolina, including 911 operators. They told me some funny stories that I’ll share with you. (For our listeners outside of the United States, 911 is the direct phone number for emergency help, including police.)
Caller: “Please call my house at 5 a.m.”
911: “Why?”
Caller: “I need a wake up call.”
911: “We don’t do that.”
Caller: “Since you’re up all night anyhow, I thought you could give me a wake-up call.”
Caller: “I need to take milk with my medicine. Send a patrolman over with some milk.”
911: “Ma’am, do you have family who can bring the milk to you?”
Caller: “Yes, but I don’t want to bother them at this time of night.”
A frightened security guard at a store coaxed rowdy kids out of the store, locked the door and reported them. The 911 operator asked, “Will you be there to let the officer in?” “No,” he whispered, “I’m going to hide.”
You have had some strange calls from customers, too. I’d love to hear and share them. E-mail me with your stories, Doug@SmarterbytheMinute.com