Join the Fun!

1980sbusinesswoman Report

The other day I asked for a table for two in my customer voice and the waitress squinted at me and I cleared my throat and said “Sorry, still in service mode” and she dropped hers and we swapped stories about our day and my boyfriend was like “You two just became two entirely different people in like .5 seconds…”

Final score:

176points

POST

Troux 3 years ago

I love that she squinted at you, clearly aware that this was a mask.

76points

Teaching has 4 different voices. The I am the authority but still friendly voice for kids, the customer service voice for parents, the professional voice for admin, and the regular voice for trusted coworkers

Lifow2589 Report

Final score:

145points

POST

LilyAva Doggypaws 3 years ago

So true!!

15points

The acting required in the service industry is beyond the pale. My cousin freaked out when she came to see me at work because I was all smiling and nice while helping someone who was asking inane questions and who basically forced me to walk them to the product and put it in their f!@#$%^ hand but I was nice as pie until I turned around to walk away and my demeanor changed back to normal and I muttered “what a f!@#$%^ moron” under my breath as I got back to my cousin. She just looked at me shocked and said “no wonder you’re so exhausted when you get home.”

thesmilingfish Report

Final score:

140points

POST

Stan Chung 3 years ago

Takes all the EQ!

23points

feedingtheoldspider Report

I always got my friends and family weird out by my working voice and mannerisms. My boyfriend was always annoyed every time that I said "unfortunately" before every sentence. "Unfortunately we don't have anymore eggs in the fridge", "Unfortunately I can't go open the door for the cat right now." It took me some weeks to learn how to shut down the facade after getting home from work.

Final score:

108points

POST

Stan Chung 3 years ago

It becomes automatic, like how I dream of wiping tables and clearing the dishes in my nightmares.

43points

When I worked in tech support I would often end up getting callers that were difficult escalated to me, wasn't my job, but my nickname was bomb squad tech because I could diffuse even the most pissed off caller. Some of the managers would tease that I pulled out my, "kindergarten teacher voice" which was, in their impression, both threatening and compassionate at the same time.

I was, and still am a master of crushing Karen's dreams of speaking with a manager.

RavenIllusion Report

Final score:

99points

POST

Cynthia Humphreys 3 years ago

Threatening and compassionate. I love it!

2points

I once went to get some lunch after a shift to the sushi place near where I used to work. After I ordered takeout, I sat next to the register and just started scrolling on my phone. Well, a couple was about to leave, they said goodbye, the people behind the register said good bye, I said goodbye. I have not heard such sincere laughter from anyone but those people working in the sushi place

Raeppa Report

Final score:

88points

POST

Mohsie Supposie 3 years ago

Instincts!

11points

I work in construction and I don't deal with customers every day but I do most days and when we get a new guy hired on it's always funny to see them hear my professional voice for the first time. I have a southern accent and cuss quite a bit but when I deal with a customer I'm completely professional. No cussing. Very knowledgeable about any question they ask. Southern accent gone. Everything professional and they usually look at me like they saw a ghost or the living representation of schizophrenia or something. They lose it because they've usually spent 3 days hanging out with this kinda redneck beer drinking southern dude and then at the drop of a hat I turn into the most professional well rounded person you could deal with.

GerbilSpanker Report

Final score:

87points

POST

Stan Chung 3 years ago

The clientele voice. I'll admit I'll try to sound more 'English' when there's a Caucasian exec/client around. Otherwise i'll no doubt be in my more comfortable 'Manglish'.

21points

I get a Southern drawl! I'm not from the American South. I have NO idea where it comes from. Everyone becomes 'dear' or 'honey' regardless of age and gender. I do tend to sound a bit vapid, but I investigate insurance fraud so that much is intentional. It's much easier to get the info I need if my clients think I'm dumb.

Kanotari Report

Final score:

75points

POST

A.M. Pierre 3 years ago

I'm not 100% sure if they're saying they try to sound vapid and dumb and then also affect a Southern drawl for some reasons or if they're saying Southern accent = dumb. If it's the latter, then thanks so much - you're part of the reason why 8-year-old me decided to actively change her native Southern accent since I already had realized people stereotype it as "sounding stupid." It's one of those things where I'm glad I did it but sorry I had to.

19points

Hugh Cookson 3 years ago

Sadly, if you have a 'drawl' - from wherever - you will be judged. The same goes for here in the UK ; if you have a strong Liverpudlian (Liverpool), Geordie (Newcastle) or Mancunian (Manchester) accent, people will have stereotyped you as soon as you start to talk.

13points

Lauren Ringel 3 years ago

I didn't have an accent until I started working for a family from backwoods Georgia. I turn it on TURBO when I need something over the phone. *We do say "Bless your heart" at least 25 times a day ;o)

3points

Ria C. 3 years ago

I read and re-read and you are correct they are hoping that the southern accent makes the seem dumb and more approachable. And NO one I know ever says dear, it's always honey or sweetheart (if your a b**ch)

3points

pusheen buttercup 3 years ago

Other people make wrong assumptions :) if you know about it sometimes you can use it to your advantage

0points

Kerry 3 years ago

This is offensive. I have lived in the south my entire life and do have an accent. I am an intelligent person with degrees. Just because someone speaks with an accent does not mean they are dumb!!

4points

Becca Gizmo the Squirrel 3 years ago

Exactly what I was thinking. So they are saying they only approach people they think are "dumber" than themselves? Sounds like a personal problem. Two of my "Red neck" family members work for NASA, two are published authors, and two are college professors. Maybe everyone shouldn't be so quick to judge.

0points

Anna K. 3 years ago

I have a (real) Valley Girl accent and used to play it up with really nasty customers. You get a LOT more leeway with horrible people if they think you're a ditz (little did they know...I qualified for Mensa AND Intertel).

2points

Vanta Black 3 years ago

Bless your heart!

2points

Theoretical Empiricist 3 years ago

I'm an RN with an intimidating appearance, and I tend to speak in complete, precise sentences. When dealing with patients and their families, I take on a little bit of drawl to help put them at ease.

2points

JLH 3 years ago

Holy crap. I do that too. No idea why, but when I'm being friendly I suddenly sound like I'm a King of the Hill character - sometimes with a little New England folksy mixed in. Not to sound dumb, just pleasant. Yet I've never been east of Wyoming. Damnedest thing.

2points

Andy Acceber 3 years ago

Calling everyone a pet name can be a lifesaver in a fast-paced customer service industry. When I worked in food service, I alternated between "honey," "hun," "darling," "dear," "love," "my friend," and even "mate" for a spell. Thank heavens I worked in retro diners and dive bars (and looked femme and nonthreatening) where I could get away with it.

1point

Aunt Messy 3 years ago

Call me a diminutive like "dear" or "honey" and I leave.

1point

Vicky Z 3 years ago

"Dear" and "honey" to a customer? Do I know you? That's a big no and a reason for me to leave when I hear it from strangers

0points

Maya 3 years ago

My dad has a REALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLYYYYYYYY thick Romanian accent and a lot of times people can't understand him. On top of that, he has very slight anger issues, so if he's on the phone with customer service he usually will start yelling. I feel bad for him, and for all the people he blew up at for no reason. I have called him a male Karen before... he doesn't care lol.

0points

#10

I love wearing a mask while being a waitress. None of the customers can see or hear me grumble at them and when they annoy me all they get is a blank stare. I have to answer the phone in my forced smile so many times, so I don't come across rude when people are calling in for take out at our busiest time of night.

emma20787 Report

Final score:

68points

POST

Troux 3 years ago

Serious question: Is there a problem with ordering takeout during normal dinner hours?

35points

#11

I have a very gentle, soft yet articulate “helping elderly people with lunch” voice still left from my internship at a nursing home and it still breaks through when I ask my friends what they want to drink.

greyoblongpill Report

Final score:

62points

POST

LesAnimaux 3 years ago

That's actually a bit creepy, lol

4points

#12

I’ve been a receptionist/front desk person for the majority of my jobs. It is absolutely exhausting to be kind and positive to everyone all day. Finally being able to be yourself is like taking a literal weight off of your back. The worst part is that people can be rude to you and you just have to take it.

OIWantKenobi Report

Final score:

61points

POST

Berry Budgie 3 years ago

They should have a rule to be nice too

10points

#13

I’ve been working in hospo so long that my stressed out face is a giant smile. My regulars that have never working in the industry are like “what are you so happy about?” The ones that do work in the industry ask me what’s wrong

jessieeeeeeee Report

Final score:

61points

POST

Stannous Flouride 3 years ago

As an Army medic I was trained to not let my expression reveal the severity of the traumas I was dealing with. That's fine in an emergency situation but less so in interpersonal relationships.

25points

#14

I used to work in over the phone tech support for BUSINESS PRINTERS... Our serial numbers had ones, lowercase Ls, and uppercase is. Also Os and zeroes.

So many times on the phone if I have to give ANY number, I without thinking go into military letter codes and hyper enunciated numbers. My mom always says "stop roboting me! I'm you mother! Talk normal!" Sorry mom, you asked me to google the address of the store you needed to go to so it's sorta on you.

YarnSp1nner Report

Final score:

60points

POST

LilyAva Doggypaws 3 years ago

lol

13points

#15

A customer mocked my customer service voice today. To be fair, she looked about 19 so I can’t be too upset but it caught me so off guard lmao. My voice gets higher whenever I talk to customers so she pitched her voice up & said “thanks so much!” as she walked away. Like, if you wanted me to be rude & give you my usual monotone voice you could’ve told me

alluringluna Report

Final score:

55points

POST

Hermitbunny 3 years ago

My voice gets higher pitched when I'm nervous or trying to match the energy of who's talking to me, I hope I don't sound like I'm mocking anyone 😬

12points

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#16

I worked call center in a different language so the 'Actually' didn't stick with me in normal life.

But on the phone, I have to make an effort to not avoid dead air by narrating what I'm doing. There's a 3 second timer ingrained in me and I can't shake it off.

Lasdary Report

Final score:

51points

POST

Maul! 3 years ago

😊 as a customer, it’s nice that you don’t leave us hanging in the unknown.

22points

#17

My partner and friends all say I talk in a babyish voice to customers. I sound cutesy and have a slight American accent too (I’m from Australia) especially when I answer the phone. But customers eat it up! They think I’m super nice and bubbly and must love working because I’m “so happy to be there”. What works works I guess. Really spoils the atmosphere when I put my normal voice back on and it’s much deeper and slower with no accent.

cool-username1 Report

Final score:

49points

POST

Donna Leske 3 years ago

As an American I deny having an accent. Of course that rule is suspended for those of us from New Yawk, Boston, and Georgia. They can't help it.

2points

#18

When I first started dating my girlfriend, she answered the phone at work a lot but very rarely talked on the phone to friends and family - it was usually text or video call. Every time I called her for about 6 months I'd get her customer service voice until she started talking about something personal. It was very disconcerting.

What really freaks me out is that I have the opposite - I have a customer voice. It's always very gentle and higher pitched than my actual voice, and more expressive. I think it's because I don't want my cashier or waiter to think I'm going to yell at them.

lespionner Report

Final score:

48points

POST

JuJu 3 years ago

I get the customer voice...I do the same. I smile and am super nice and gentle. When I turn around, dark clouds appear over my head, a raven lands on my shoulder and I'm my usual unsunny self :)

6points

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#19

I work in inventory at a retail store, but I was in sales departments before that for like four years. My customer service voice is just higher and more feminine than I usually talk. But I am not feminine in the slightest, and I curse like a sailor, so it's a pretty drastic difference.

I find myself using my customer voice with my coworkers too when I'm getting annoyed, especially on the dumb walkie-talkie radios we use.

Coworker over the radio: "Who do we have in inventory right now?"

(Which is code for: Hey random inventory person, because I don't even know which of you is here right now, I need something from you.)

Me internally: I'm doing three other things by myself because everyone else is unloading a truck wtf do you want

Me out loud, high-pitched and sing-song: "This is KalicoKat, how can I help?"

KalicoKat3219 Report

Final score:

38points

POST

Person #1,051 3 years ago

8points

#20

I have a habit of saying thank you when people thank me. A couple of times when I would get off work I'd go to the store and at checkout I'd have the habbit of starting my greeting I do at work. I catch myself half way through and I'm just like oops still in customer service mode. Whatever clerk I see for the day gets a bit weirded out by it.

M1ss_San Report

Final score:

32points

POST

Hooked 3 years ago

This ! This happens to me still, after I left CS about 3 years ago. I still do that !

7points

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#21

I've heard my customer service voice and I have no idea who that lady is.

But honestly, with all the background noise, tech issues, distractions, language barriers, etc. short words in short sentences is best for everyone involved.

Sgt_Smitty Report

Final score:

30points

POST

WhatEvenIsLife 3 years ago

When I had to start working from home last year, my family was fascinated by my "work voice" when I was on calls.

4points

#22

I’m from the South and my accent usually helps me. I also have a girlish voice and sound much younger than I am. However, from my experience, this makes the Boomer calls unnecessarily long. I don’t find that the statement “Boomers just want to get stuff done” is applicable. I get “sweetie” “honey” “darlin” etc. “How’s the weather up there?” “Well honey you sound so nice!” I had a Boomer spend 20 minutes on the phone telling me how to make the perfect ham sandwich. Since I’m in the South I get a lot of gun enthusiasts—one old man talked for 45 minutes about the different types of bullets. I’ve heard fishing stories for hours. And there’s always those good ole Boomers who say “Oh, I’m so glad to talk to a white girl!!”

extraranchontheside Report

Final score:

30points

POST

phantom buni 3 years ago

That last bit was a bit yikes

21points

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#23

My voice gets higher and I sound less accented. I'm very soft voiced and I feel like I sound like an Easter bunny down on her luck.

I hate listening to my calls because the voice grates on my nerves, but it makes other people calm down??? I can't stop doing it either lol.

My chat voice is totally different too. It comes across as very formal, polite, and librarian like.

midnightauro Report

Final score:

25points

POST

#24

I use my customer service voice pretty much any time I'm interacting with someone I don't know or are otherwise not chill with. I still try to have engaging conversations, but you have to get to know me before you start to hear all my bulls!@#.

aburntcroissant Report

Final score:

23points

POST

#25

i worked at six flags fright fest as one of the unsettlingly nice characters and my in-character voice basically undid years of vocal training. so, not really the same thing, but it still comes out when I deal with people I dislike

bastardfaust Report

Final score:

21points

POST

Becca Gizmo the Squirrel 3 years ago

I bet that was an awesome job! I always wanted to work at a haunted house for Halloween.

2points

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Some time ago, Robertas used to spend his days watching how deep the imprint in his chair will become as he wrote for Bored Panda. Wrote about pretty much everything under and beyond the sun. Not anymore, though. He's now probably playing Gwent or hosting Dungeons and Dragons adventures for those with an inclination for chaos.

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What do you think ?

POST

A.M. Pierre 3 years ago

After I worked at a Coca-Cola call center answering 100's of calls a day, I can't tell you how many times I answered my own phone with the "This is Coca-Cola..." greeting.

12points

Ross Warren 3 years ago

Did you work for Coke that year they did those white and silver polar bear cans and customers kept calling in complaining that the cola in them tasted funny?

3points

Carol Emory 3 years ago

I did that too after working at Nintendo Call Center. Most of the time, family and friends were on the other end...quietly saying "Did...I...call the right number?" Yes you did!

0points

MarionHood 3 years ago

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Freya the Wanderer 3 years ago

I try to be nice to service workers - try to latch on to their feelings, treat them like human beings, and of course tip them well. I ain't perfect, but hey, I'm only human. All I can do is my damnedest.

6points

Mary Rose Kent 3 years ago

They love you...trust me!

4points

Aragorn II Elessar 3 years ago

I have a coworker that doesn’t even give a f**k. He just does everything in his “dead inside” voice.

4points

Becca Gizmo the Squirrel 3 years ago

At least he is authentic.

0points

Jessica Nametz 3 years ago

I had a friend in high school who had a "customer service voice" whenever she talked to adults. It would suddenly become super high pitched and overly sweet, used to drive me crazy. I have worked in customer service so I myself have developed one over the years, which has been simmered down to a basic politeness for strangers and people who work in retail, servers, etc.

4points

Amelia 3 years ago

I had that voice too, I never meant to be like that though, it was an anxiety issue I had + my coping mechanism for talking to adults. Wouldn't surprise if she did that for the same reason.

3points

KombatBunni 3 years ago

I’ve surprised people who know me when they’ve heard me talking to the public as a volunteer (I volunteer for a tall ship museum and info kiosk) and then as myself. It’s surprised me too because I’m not a fan of crowds or people in general but when I’m in volunteer mode I’m the nicest person ever. My partner calls it public service mode 🙄

4points

Daria Z 3 years ago

We all play roles in the society. I just wish the customers tried to act nice just as the services workers (have to) do.

3points

Erin E 3 years ago

If I get a work related call when I’m at home, I leave the room and try to get away from anyone in my house. My husband and kids always make fun of my work voice. My husband has a work voice, too... I’m just not a jerk about it when he uses it.

2points

Alexis draskinis 3 years ago

Ive had a "work voice/persona" since i was about 15ish, so 20+ yrs at least. Shes a spunky, happy lady. Totally unlike her alter. Her alter has spent too many yrs being spunky & happy to people who are jerks. Shes no longer spunky or happy

2points

Jette Wang Wahnon 3 years ago

I am not sure my comment will be welcome as practically every one here seem to be scarred for life.I have worked in the service industry on and off my whole life...I loved every minute of it.Hotel receptionist,Telephone exchange,American Express,Nursing home for the elderly and let me tell you,there were some Tartars there...I would cry with laughter at some of their antics.One told me »I don´t like you» and I answered »I don´t like you much either,but let me go get you another cup of coffee»Her demeanor changed from that day on.And last was 4 years as a volunteer at a Maternity Hospital.I have met some amazing people,one a 101 year old Nun that had Proust on her bedside table and spent hours on her Pc every day.I will never forget her.

2points

Mary Rose Kent 3 years ago (edited)

I think it’s great that you’re a people pleaser...those are the ones who should be working in the service industry. I’m a loner and before I retired, I get easily overwhelmed and stressed by having to deal with too many people at a time. I spent seven years working at a video store and I can’t tell how how many times my boss would sigh and say, “Mary Rose, you need to be nicer to the customers.” But he never fired me because I was a hard worker and I had an encyclopedic knowledge of film, which was appreciated by the film buffs who came in. I actually had someone from the San Francisco Chronicle call to ask a movie question because they had heard there was someone at the store who might be able to answer their question. This was well before the Internet, obviously.

1point

fogharty 3 years ago

My dad owned a retail store in small town America where he had to be unfailingly polite to anyone and everyone. The more annoyed he would get the more polite he would become, to the point that if I heard him say “sir” or “madam” I knew he was internally blowing a gasket.

1point

Iapetos 3 years ago

"This is Madam Priestly's office..."

1point

Iapetos 3 years ago

In an ideal world, workers in the service industry would normally have a relaxed and happy voice and would not need to fake it.

1point

Jill 3 years ago

Nah, it comes with the territory. People will always have problems and be stressed sometimes about really concerning issues. It's par the course. There is no getting around it and is almost the human condition. After a while, I began to understand that it wasnt me the person was having problems with but the system itself. Although at the time it doesnt always feel that way, but I guess you learn with time.

2points

Viviane 3 years ago

A former friend emailed me that she was about the call. I answered the phone as if I was still at work. She was quite pissed off at me, so I had to apologize quickly so she'd calm down. My family and other friends would have laughed at me or teased me about it, but she was quite offended. I then stopped answering the phone in a professional manner when I'm working (it's a home office and my boss won't care if I answer "Hello").

1point

Chris Meyers 3 years ago

My mom used to scare the hell out of me when she got a call from a bill collector. Like a totally different Mom!!!

0points

Albino 3 years ago

I have phone voice, a German one and a rather deep English one. And I can switch within seconds.

0points

Random Anon 3 years ago

Have not in the service industry since the 90s (again not late 1900s!). Growing up rough thought me several voices. The "someone is going to get punched" voice, the "I'm innocent" voice and then "Put the metal pipe down" voice.

0points

Patti Vance 3 years ago (edited)

retired now. worked as waitress/server during college to get 3 degrees. had a good career. i really enjoyed being a waitress/server because it was fast paced & while the pay wasn't great, always killed it on tips. one time my then boyfriend came in, ate, & then stayed for a while as i worked. when we got home he commented that he didn't realize being a server was actually being a performer. he said w/customers i was lit up, attentive, fun, full of humor, etc. but as soon as i headed away he could saw my face get serious w/my 'focused face'. was really amazed how i could turn 'off/on'. but, he also said it made him wonder if my personality w/him was the 'on' persona. guess it wasn't as we ended up being married for 32 yrs. but, even after all that time he would often say he never learned how to read me. i'm not a puzzle-just person like anyone else w/many facets of personality.

0points

FreckledFox 3 years ago

After a long day at work, I went to get a prescription and asked the clerk how I can help her... She looked at my uniform, chuckled, finished my transaction without missing a beat, and then told me of the really good wine sale they were having. We know one when we see one.

0points

Carol Emory 3 years ago

About 25+ years ago, I worked with Christopher Rush, creator of the Black Lotus card in Magic: the Gathering when he worked at Nintendo of America. Back then, he did the artwork for the card for commission and worked at Nintendo as a Game Play Counselor. One night, I was sitting next to him as he painted Metamorphosis. He would talk to the customers with a Game Show host like voice, then mute the head phones as he'd say "Dammit! The colors aren't blending right!" Then back to Game show host. It was like a personality form of Turret's Syndrome.

0points

Jill 3 years ago

I lived in Japan for a year and a half. There they have the habit of saying "Sorry" about the even tiniest things and when you want to get someone's attention. When I moved back home, it took me forever to break the habit. I now know why people think the culture is so passive aggresive...and it is!

0points

Becca Gizmo the Squirrel 3 years ago

I said sorry to my open front door I accidentally bumped into the other day. I'm bad about saying sorry too much.

0points

Colin Matthews 3 years ago

Ran big box retail for years-its genuinely amazing at what a split personality you develop dealing with the retards who wander around shopping malls. Particularly when you are the manager. Leaving for the day is like pulling off a plastic cover and having a wet dog shake to get all the customer cooties off you.

-2points

POST

A.M. Pierre 3 years ago

After I worked at a Coca-Cola call center answering 100's of calls a day, I can't tell you how many times I answered my own phone with the "This is Coca-Cola..." greeting.

12points

Ross Warren 3 years ago

Did you work for Coke that year they did those white and silver polar bear cans and customers kept calling in complaining that the cola in them tasted funny?

3points

Carol Emory 3 years ago

I did that too after working at Nintendo Call Center. Most of the time, family and friends were on the other end...quietly saying "Did...I...call the right number?" Yes you did!

0points

MarionHood 3 years ago

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Freya the Wanderer 3 years ago

6points

Mary Rose Kent 3 years ago

They love you...trust me!

4points

Aragorn II Elessar 3 years ago

I have a coworker that doesn’t even give a f**k. He just does everything in his “dead inside” voice.

4points

Becca Gizmo the Squirrel 3 years ago

At least he is authentic.

0points

Jessica Nametz 3 years ago

4points

Amelia 3 years ago

I had that voice too, I never meant to be like that though, it was an anxiety issue I had + my coping mechanism for talking to adults. Wouldn't surprise if she did that for the same reason.

3points