Just complaining...

Finally, something to write about. Here goes.

I was calling up travel agents for fares to India and boy, what an experience. First, the price tags vary dramatically in some cases than I used to find in the US. Singapore Airlines is still decently priced. I am kinda tempted to take the London route and hang out in London for a couple days, but then when I think of the hassles of getting a visa and trading those days with India, I find myself pushing back on options. Wishful thinking!

I talked to about 8 travel agents (desis) and 6 of those were just plain pathetic. I am very passionate about the hospitality industry and if I were not where I am on my professional front, one of the very strong candidates would have definitely been this industry. These brainholes can't even be fundamentally courteous leave alone being equipped with the etiquettes that are expected of customer service. I pick up the phone and dial one of those travel agents, he picks up and farts in a groggy voice, "Vikram!". %$#@ I care what your Mom calls you. You are running a travel agency and can't we just start off saying Good <time of the day>, <insert your company name here>.

Not one single person out of the 6 travel agencies I crib about, be it a guy or a girl, greeted me or even bothered to mention their company name. How the hell am I supposed to know if I have reached the travel agency or it's a damned wrong number. Forget any expectations of reaching out to your customers and helping them make a decision.

Out of the two that atleast let me retain my dignity as a worthy probable customer, one of them was courteous, informative but was munching something really big (wasn't a gum) as she talked. My imagination spreading wings, it seemed like some sort of sandwich stuffed up until the last morsel that could squeeze in.

Nothing conclusive, but had to whine.