About Rebecca Eckler
Since becoming pregnant with her daughter Rowan, Canadian journalist and author Rebecca Eckler has penned three hilarious books, including the best-selling Knocked Up. Catch Rebecca’s weekly unique perspective on motherhood and single parenthood.
I am all for playing super-pathetic. I know this sounds strangely “unfeministic” of me (is that a word?) but I truly don’t care sometimes. Because, sometimes, I really am super-pathetic and if playing dumb helps me get what I need, then I will play dumb.
Take my recent phone purchase. Because I am a VIP (this is NOT a good thing when it comes to phone companies. It means I spend WAY too much money with them) I was told I could get any new phone I wanted…for free!
I was told this months ago, but kept putting it off because, frankly, I didn’t want to deal with phone people: transferring all my contacts, photos, and emails over is never a fun process and always makes me tense.
But when my SIM card was stolen (or so I thought…it turns out my phone radio was just turned off. See? I am an idiot.) I headed to the store.
I dressed for the occasion. I put on mascara, and wore high heels. I knew I was probably going to be dealing with a male. I really didn’t care that I knew I was going to have to flirt. (I don't believe women have to sleep their way to the top, not when they can simply use their charm.)
I walked into the phone store and saw three male staff hanging around. I KNEW it would be men! HA!
“Hi!” I said as chirpily and girlie as I could. “I need the SMARTEST and MOST PATIENT man in the store to help me.” Then I flashed a smile.
Well, they all just beamed and almost tripped over themselves to help me. I told them that I was an absolute idiot when it came to technology and that they had to tell me what phone I needed, had to transfer everything for me, and set up all my accounts. I listened patiently as they explained things I will never use on my phone and I asked them personal questions as I watched them transfer everything over for me.
When I giggled and said I would never be able to set up the phone in my car – “I’m such a moron!” – one of the men even came INTO my car AND set up my Bluetooth. Now, I tell you, that’s customer service. Could I have figured it out on my own? Well of course! But it would have taken me an hour and a half and it only took him FIVE MINUTES!
Maybe it had nothing to do with my mascara. Maybe they were really nice people. We’ve all had incidents of bad customer service, but it’s amazing what can be done if you just flash a smile, ask them something about themselves, and act like you’re interested (I WAS actually interested. The man helping me was expecting his first child, so we talked about parenting!) and then actually THANK THEM profusely and sincerely. (And I was sincerely and profusely thankful!)
What do you think? Does it help to act pathetic? Do you use your feminine wiles to get what you want? Or do you think it all comes down to just being friendly, no matter what your sex?