1. Our Landline: Our landline no longer has a dial tone. Luckily we discovered it Monday when we tried phoning it to check our flip phones. I’ll spare you the details, but it probably took me about an hour yesterday to get through Lumen’s phone and chat AIs to reach a real person, Kaninglung K, on the chat line. The neat thing is that person was friendly and helpful. When I thanked them and told them how much I appreciated their help, they answered,
I appreciate the opportunity to help you today.
Jean, just want to inform you that you are the best patient customer of mine for the day. Thanks for being so kind with me.
That feedback means a lot. When I faced up to the problem I knew it was going to be a hassle, and soon as I started to feel frustrated, this question popped up in my mind:
What’s the opportunity here?
Yep, another chance to practice patience and persistence. As I’ve mentioned before, I’ve been working since 2018 on focusing on how I handle things rather than letting my mood depend on how any particular situation turned out.
That’s all very well and good, and it mostly works, but connecting with a real person, one that is doing more than just reading a script, is a powerful reinforcement. It doesn’t always happen, but I treasure the times it does.
(It’s not over yet, the technician isn’t coming until sometime Friday, but in the past that part has gone smoothly.)
2. My Driver’s License: I had my appointment with the Motor Vehicle Department to renew my driver’s license. We have to do it in person every year in order to take the eye test, and I did fine. That’s always a huge relief.
The woman there was friendly too.
Now it’s time to goof off and recharge my batteries. Have a great day, everyone!
May 27, 2026
After doing both of those I would say you are definitely due for a recharge. I find the most frustrating part of calling anywhere to be not getting in touch with a live person. The automated answering systems are pure frustration to me and usually don’t have an option for what I’m calling for.
Yes, and they can’t stop their script to answer questions if you get confused.
Awesome on both issues. Let’s hope the Friday appt will ho smoothly.
Thanks.
Hooray for good customer service all around!
🙂
I’m glad you were able to work out both situations. My driver’s license is due for renewal next month. Unfortunately, the online instructions are for getting a real ID which had to be done by 2025. I did do that but I can’t find a way to make an appointment for just a renewal so I’m going to take my chances by just going in. Wish me luck, please.
Yes, good luck! Please let us know how it turns out.
this is the perfect one that I chose to read right now. My 2 month old cordless orange thing, Lawn Mower, will not run. Yesterday I tried to mow and it runs for 60 to 90 seconds and shuts down. I have only used it 5 times.
I got on line and researched and used the manual and did the trouble shoot thing and tried to see if I could return it and I can’t. I spent an hour on YouTube trying to find someone who had any idea, wasted the whole morning.
I got so mad I cried. Got up today and just could not make myself call the number. You have given me the courage to dive in and see what happens. All I have is a phone number. thank you and so glad you got your license and mine is good until 2030 I passed mine last year in sept
I’m so sorry about the mower. But you are lucky about the license!
Let me say that you did good. I am not good with issues that have to be taken care of like that. I can’t believe you have to go every year for your license. God bless you.
Yes, every year is a nuisance.
Congratulations on two positive encounters!
I think your congenial attitude was a welcomed breath of fresh air. Customer service personnel probably don’t experience that so often.
Yes, I would hate having their job.
How wonderful. You did great ?
Thanks.
You did great both times – you are a great example for us.
Thanks!
…I just looked the phrase which dates back to antiquity and the Middle Ages. Before calendars were digital, religious and royal calendars highlighted church festivals, saints’ days, and public holidays in red ink to make them stand out. These important days off were literally “red-letter days!”
Thank you for telling us that. 🙂