Just called the Alabama tourism department 800-252-2262

[cp]

to let them know that our family and all our friends will not visit or have anything to do with a state that does not respect women.

The person responding sounded as though she has gotten more than one such call.

[Ohiogal]

1. GOOD.

[customerserviceguy]

2. Yes, torture some poor office worker

who is not responsible for "company policy".

I was the emotional punching bag for the customers of a utility company for years, but at least I got union pay and benefits for it. Chances are, this Alabama tourism department has a call center where they pay minimum wage.

Sure, the bigwigs sort of know about the protest calls, but they generally don't give a damn. That would especially apply to politicians in Alabama.

[USALiberal]

3. Torture??? Really? Look up that word in dictionary. Nt

[customerserviceguy]

5. Ok, I was being flippant

How about "pester", does that seem more accurate to you?

[11 Bravo]

7. How about "inform"?

And if they hear from enough people, it will at least get the legislature's attention.

[customerserviceguy]

8. I'm sure that by the second call

the call center employee was plenty well "informed" that a lot of people didn't like the decision.

Put the shoe on the other foot for a second: Say you were working at a call center for the Massachusetts tourism office fifteen years ago. Then the Massachusetts Supreme Court struck down bans on equal marriage. Do you think you'd want to listen all day to a bunch of complaining assholes who had no reasonable probability of visiting Massachusetts, anyway? Especially, when the call volume attributed to these fundy jerks wasn't going to change anything?

You want to get a legislator's attention? Try a letter, or better yet, a ballot box. If you don't live in the state that you're protesting the policies of, then find a way to back a challenger for that legislator's seat.

Bugging the crap out of someone just trying to send out maps and flyers isn't going to accomplish anything besides making an innocent person's day hell.

[gratuitous]

4. If you can't separate your identity from your occupation

You probably need a new occupation. Yeah, it's tough being the voice on the end of the line for some unethical company or agency, taking abuse from righteously aggrieved members of the public. If it's too tough, get your resume in order and start looking around. Or, decide that you are not your job, and pass along the legitimate criticism your employer has earned.

[customerserviceguy]

6. And that is exactly why

I am retired. I'm only 63, but I left that lousy job over two years ago. With union pay, I was able to put aside enough money to finance my early escape. I got tired of going to union meetings that were mostly dominated by the blue-collar workers (who nobody would dare give shit to) complaining that they weren't getting enough overtime to pay for all the toys they wanted to acquire.

If you really want to spend some time productively, get senators and representatives on the phone, or write them a letter, or even an email. Complain to someone who has the power to do something about what you want, rather than bash the person they hire for a sub-living wage as their shield.

[Bettie]

10. It is possible to be polite to the worker while

letting them know why you are deciding on other destinations for travel rather than a state that sees women as non-persons once they reach childbearing age.

[customerserviceguy]

12. Yes, I suppose that's true

but I worked in northern New Jersey. I wish they had all been polite.

In any case, my management didn't give a rat's ass about the complaints. The decisions were made so very many management levels above them. It's too many filters between the call center employee and the folks at the top who make policies.

But, some people here need a whipping boy, and some underpaid person in a cave in a call center gets to fill the role.

[Bettie]

13. I've worked customer service so

I am always polite, even when I'm angry or annoyed. I know what it is like to be on the other end, but sometimes, you have to let people know.

[customerserviceguy]

14. It's like folks who worked in a restaurant

as I did as a dish washer in high school. I try to never give my server a bad time about anything. And, I will go out of my way to find a manager to praise exceptional service given to me.

As for letting people know, the policymakers should be the ones you're attempting to communicate with, not battering their human shields.

[Bettie]

15. But, there's nothing wrong with a call

saying "Can you please pass along the message that I have cancelled my plans to travel to your state, due to the recent draconian abortion bill? Thank you for your time".

That isn't battering anyone or being mean.

[customerserviceguy]

16. If that's all it is

then, yes, it's not as bad. But what if that employee is monitored on the number of maps and brochures they send out? A dozen such calls might make them not reach quota for the day.

If we lived in a Canada-polite society, then I could see your point completely. But we don't, especially NY and NJ.

[UniteFightBack]

9. Not so sweet Home Alabama...where the women aren't free. nt

[fescuerescue]

11. Those call centers in India won't like that

But they'll still get paid to take the call as an outsourcer.