Today I got one of those classic robo-calls. Except it wasn’t a robot. It was someone who thought I was my step-dad and wanted me to donate to the New Hampshire State Troopers.
Luckily, he caught me at the right time. I was organizing supplies for a workshop the following day and could talk while I did it. I wasn’t interested in donating, but I figured I’d at least hear it out.
After some initial confusion and neither party being forthcoming with their identity, he asked how I was doing. In turn, I asked how he was doing. To which he replied, “Good. No one has asked me that in four hours of calling.”
Imagine spending four hours making phone calls. Getting rejection after rejection. Not even getting someone far enough to say “How are you?” Is that the dark side of grit? Blind persistence despite countless indicators telling you it’s going nowhere?
Or perhaps it’s an economically viable use of time. I’m not sure. Maybe people donate without ever asking how the caller is doing.
Regardless of the truth, it’s a never a bad idea to make an interaction more human. We all crave being seen. Even the simple things can change a transaction to an experience.