I got a call today from this old guy. Well, he didn't sound old. But he informed me he was old. This was our conversation. I admit that I am a bit of a fast speaker, but when I'm on the phone at work, I do talk slower than normal. I run through the welcome greeting because I want to move on to helping people but sometimes people...
Me: Hello, thank you for call [my florist], my name is [my name]. How may I help you?
OLD man: Hello, can you deliver flowers to Connecticut?
Me: To Connecticut?
OLD man: Yes.
Me: Sure, that would be no problem.
OLD man: I need something that will go to Connecticut.
Me: Okay, may I get your phone number?
OLD man: No no, these are going to Connecticut, to Mary Marie.
Me: Yes, I understand. Can I get your phone number first?
OLD man: My what?
Me: -thinking maybe I rushed that last sentence a bit, slow down- Your phone number?
OLD man: I don't understand.
Me: If we have questions about the order we need to be able to get ahold of you. So I need your phone number.
OLD man: See, I'm really OLD and you are talking really fast and I can't understand.
Me: -EVEN slower- Can I get your phone number? (co-worker is giving me a look because I'm talking slower than normal speech now, not just slower than my own speech and I tried to lower my voice a bit because I know my voice can be a bit high pitched and that can be harder for older people to hear)
OLD man: You don't understand. I'm going to order somewhere else.
Me: Okay, have a nice day! (I've moved back to my normal pattern of speech, figuring it won't matter since he refuses to order from us anyhow.)
OLD man: Oh, you have a nice day too. -hangs up-
Me: -thinking- Why could he hear me when I talk my fastest and then ask me to slow down when I was talking at a normal speed?
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