Dear dimwit on the phone

It's interesting to read all the experiences related here. I think we all agree that no matter how well we plan or how diligently we try, there's someone out there who doesn't get it, thinks we have a bias against them, etc.

If you're going to survive in this business, I suppose you have to let it roll off you like water off a duck's back, because it seems inevitable that it's going to happen.

 

i would breathe heavily into the receiver and ask if they like scary movies.

 

Isn't your writer live-tweeting it? /crossthread

 

One of the smart things we finally did in our shop was teach the call-takers how to remotely pick up the ringing "scoreline" from their work stations, rather than have someone pick it up and then transfer. Only when all of them are busy - we usually have 3 or 4 on Friday nights - do any of the rest of us have to pick up. I've taken maybe 2 games in 11 weeks.

 

If I were in your position, and I was on more than one occasion in my time, I'd have let the phones ring while I got everything from the first caller. Then I'd start answering other phones. However, I wouldn't write up my notes until I had some down time between calls. That way I could focus more on each game.

 

Called football coach of We're Really Good High for a notebook item. Left message. He calls back, says "Before we get started, I need to talk to you about something." Son is a multi-sport athlete for school (QB, PG, track), and word got to coach couple weeks ago that during state B basketball tournament game last March, I tweeted said son turned the ball over four times in five possessions and his team's crowd seemed to be getting frustrated with that.
So coach tells me if he hears about me saying anything about his son again, he'll have me fired. And he wants a written apology.

 

You should go on Twitter and tell the coach to fuck himself.

 

Your football stories are gonna look strange with absolutely no mention of the quarterback. But coach said he never wants to hear about you saying anything, so there ya go.

 

Wow. Any word from your bosses on this? Sounds like you didn't do anything wrong.

 

So, what you're saying is it took hot shit coach about seven months to grow balls and threaten you over the phone. Ooooh, tough hombre right there. Watch yourself.

 

Oh, dear.

With each passing day, I wonder honestly if it's worth it?

Below average salary, crappy hours, constant cutbacks, ungrateful audiences, etc. I mean, do I really need this to find fulfillment in life?

 

Or he could just stop turning the damn ball over.