Stinger rant #2

I thought that the rants would be more frequent, as a lot of things in the world bother me. So far, not so much. But, here is number two. Rants generally have no links to any articles.

Over the past few years, companies have been assailed for using automated systems to steer people through their phone calls to the company. The human touch was lost, many said. So, there was a response. No, it was not to bring actual customer service representatives back into the mix (well, there are some, but mostly in India apparently). Instead, they have "voice-activated systems." I absolutely despise these things. First off, are we supposed to believe we are actually talking to someone?!! No one (other than perhaps an ex-girlfriend or something) would ask you a question, then tell you how to answer. "How would you like to pay? Say, 'pay by credit card,' or say 'pay by check.'" And, even if you go along and say it like they want you to, it doesn't register, so it asks the same damn question!! I already answered the question. And, because the system doesn't understand, you now have to over-enunciate. Which by the way makes you look like a crazy person.

Voice-activated systems have got to go. If the options are either me pushing buttons or talking to a computer, I'll press buttons, thank you very much.