Say What?

I have no problem with selecting the option of english or spanish when wanting to talk to a company. However, when you select the option of english, it is very helpful to have the person on the other end of the phone able to speak english as well...fluently.

Here is a conversation that I had recently that proves my point. When typing the words below, I typed what I heard. It is not meant to be in any way funny, or derogatory. It just helps to explain how difficult this was, for both of us. Where you see this: ...... that is a spot where I just couldn't understand her:

Operator: hello. How may I hep you?

Me: Hello. I had made a hotel reservation through your service, and I need to cancel that reservation please.

Operator: Ok. Sure. I can hep you with dat. May I have your .......... please?

Me: I'm sorry, my what?

Operator: confimationnumber please.

Me. Oh, my confirmation number. It is xxxxxxxx

Operator: Ok. Who am I speaking to please?

Me: Dena

Operator: Nena?

Me: Dena. with a D as in dog

Operator: Lena?

Me: Dena. D as in Dog. E as in Edward. N as in Nancy & A as in Apple.

Operator: You are Tena?

Me: (sigh) Yes. My name is Tena.

Operator: Ok den Tena. What is your last name?

Me: Heeren. H-E-E-R-E-N

Operator: Arum?

Me. No with an H on the front.

Operator: Oh Harum. Like man with dancers. Do you dance?

Me: No. I'm just trying to cancel my reservation.

Operator: Ok Tena Harum. Can you give me your a mall?

Me: Excuse me? My what?

Operator: Your a mall. A mall. You know, like maybe tena harum @ harum dot com? Yes?

Me: Oh, you mean my email? My email address?

Operator: Yes Tena. Dat is what I say. You not able to hear me so good?

Me: I'm sorry. I can hear you fine. I'm just having a very hard time understanding your deep accent. Could you speak slower please?

Operator: Ok. I speak louder. Dis better?

Me: (banging my head on the counter) Not so much, but go on.

Operator: Ok Tena Harum. I look up your confirmation number but I see it not registered to you. It to a Dena Heeren. She your sister maybe?

Me: (seeing stars) No. Wait. Yes. My sister. Yes. I am Tena Harum and I'm canceling for my sister Dena Heeren.

Operator: Oh dat nice of you to do dat for her. Ok now I have some information for you. Ok?

Me: Yes. Ok.

Operator: Ok Tena. Tell your sister dat
...............................................................................
and then ...................................................................
And............................................................................

Ok? You tell your sister all dat. Ok?

Me: Yes. Ok.

Operator: Ok. Good. Anyting else I can hep you wit?

Me: Do you have any Ibuprofin?

Operator: What you want?

Me: Never mind. Thank you. and have a good day.