So....

[bigfoot3000]

When you're on the phone to the bank, paying a bill, sorting out a road ticket, talking to the council, changing your internet/phone provider etc...
Are you the dominant one, do you make sure you're heard and have the upper hand or are you quick to back down and the other side always got you by the short and curlies? Does this reflect the kind of person you are in the real world?

[poodicat]

yep i am assertive

[Bobbisox]

I would say I am very confident dealing with these things but get annoyed when it's a call centre in India I am put through to, who I can not understand

[Gail_Fawcast]

Thought I was the dominant one till heard OH on the phone talking to someone who wanted to become our internet provider. Bl**dy 'ell - found myself feeling sorry for the poor salesman!

[karenmac60]

I can get a bit blinded by science and let them get the upper hand, but the other day I gave a guy hell on the phone about something, I was really assertive till it came to the end of the conversation when I told him he sounded like Russell Brand. I think I ruined the effect - he did though...

[Prudie]

I'm usually very assertive, much more than I would be face-to-face don't know why. Mind you my adrenaline levels often kick off right from the start as I'm usually cross that the person on the other end doesn't speak English that well!

[bigfoot3000]

Forget the scripted robots bobbi, Im talking about someone from here, do you ever finish the phonecall and think, damn I should've been a bit more rougher with that person, and are you like that in the real world?

[Buenchico]

I'm the stereotypical 'only child'. In such situations (either face-to-face or over the phone) I'm confident, self-assured and determined to get my own way. By contrast, in social situations (where I can't easily take control of what's happening) I can sometimes feel rather out of my depth.

[poodicat]

Aww Karen had hi hopes with you lol

[joggerjayne]

Aaaah, now ...

When your Bank phones you, and says ...

"Can I just ask you a couple of security questions?"

Do you merrily give them your date of birth and the name of your first pet?

Or do you say ...

"I'm sorry? You phoned me. You know who I am. But I have no way of knowing who you are. And you want ME to give personal security information to YOU?

How about YOU tell ME my mother's maiden name ... then I might talk to you!"

[sherrardk]

Used to let them boss me around but not anymore - but always fall for that "Is it ok to call you **** (First name)?" - no it's not ok, why do I always say it is ok? ARGHH!

[bigfoot3000]

A lot of times the folk on the other side tell you via an automated service in a nasal tone "This call may be recorded for training purposes" this tells me that the workers on the other side have to be professional and cant show signs of blatant anger etc.. have any of you had someone be blatantly rude to you even knowing they're being recorded?

[Bobbisox]

yes I am bf , but there are not many numbers to talk to which are direct, I usually let them speak till they have exhausted their 'excuses' then I start..lol

[dothawkes31]

i tend to be very stern and to the point and often will not let them get a word in, I don't like being fobbed off and always insist on speaking to their superior and i always as for their name,

[karenmac60]

I have answered when it's one of those recordings that you've won a cruise or something, and start shouting down the phone for them to Foof off and never dare phone me again - the look on Mr mac's face was priceless :)

[karma22]

I let the people on the other line lead. This does reflect the person I am in the real word. I want very much to be more assertive and I will not give up striving for what I want. :-)