For high-quality service, press 2 for Spanish (D.C.)

The Washington Times ^ | 11-01-07 | Tom Knott

[fieldmarshaldj]

Adrian, you ignorant slut.

[RDTF]

Unbelievable head in the sand DC crap.

And the guy that invented the automated voice systems needs to be (can’t say or I’d be banned)

[theDentist]

Bullseye!

[cvq3842]

All these accomodations to illegals - driver's licenses, in-state tuition, etc. - appear to be based on the logic that 'they are here anyway, so why not make things less chaotic, and limit any harm done?" The same "logic" could be used, say, to give out condoms to pedophiles. "They exist anyway, so let's deal with the situation and minimize the harm!" But the rational mind would recoil at doing anything less than using all our power to stop pedophiles. When it comes to illegal immigration, though, America's leaders have no will.

[trumandogz]

Pushing Number 2 is the Secret to an efficient life.

By pushing 2 your call will always get answered sooner and typically the operator does a better job than the operators that only speak English.

[atomic conspiracy]

I speak what is alleged to be fluent Spanish, at least nobody in Mexico has ever had any trouble understanding me. I've been tempted to push 2 to get through the automated morass faster but I flatly refuse to do it.

I get Spanish language telemarketing calls once in a while because my last name is of Iberian Jewish origin and looks Spanish. During the election campaign last year, I got a call from a Spanish language get-out-the-vote program. I told the caller I preferred to speak English if the subject was an American election. He responded that he did not speak English. I don't have to tell you which party this was.

[gubamyster]

ping

[trumandogz]

OF the times I have pressed 2 I start off speaking in Spanish and if they can speak English I try to continue the conversation in that language.

For me it is just a little short cut through all the other crap. The secret is that these companies train there bilingual staffers to handle more problems. Thus, you never have to go through six levels of automated phone hell.

In other words, pressing 2 does not mean let me speak to your Spanish only employee but rather it means “let me speak to you most competent person right away and do not make me talk to that bonehead who does not know what they are doing.”

[3AngelaD]

Sounds like you’ve spent a lot of time on the phone with Comcast and Verizon.

[trumandogz]

All these accomodations to illegals..

I see it as an accommodation to bilingual Americans.

[trumandogz]

No, for the most part utility companies in regards to property that I own or manage.

Trust Me.

Pressing 2 will make life much easier.

[dennisw]

Perez

[texas_mrs]

I am actually on hold right now for the IRS. No request to press 1 for English, just an offer to press 2 in Spanish, otherwise you get English as the default language.

[3AngelaD]

Tell me about it. I speak Spanish and always oprimo numero dos. You get a real person, on the first ring, who can actually answer questions.

[VeniVidiVici]

My fluent Spanish-speaking wife FORCES them to speak English first or sweat trying. She figures if she can do both, so can they.

[trumandogz]

Press 2 and you would be speaking to a human by now.

[VeniVidiVici]

Tell me about it. I speak Spanish and always oprimo numero dos. You get a real person, on the first ring, who can actually answer questions.

LOL!! You're calling his bluff. He's lying.

[trumandogz]

Who is lying?

And lying about what?

[thecabal]

I see it as an accommodation to bilingual Americans.

That makes no sense. A bilingual American wouldn't need a Spanish operator, by definition.