I remember the time I had to report to work on Christmas eve. I felt really down that day. Who wouldn’t right? Nobody’s supposed to be working on that evening. It’s a night that should be spent together with your loved ones, but sadly, work is work and I had duties to attend to.
I went to the office expecting that my fellow call center agents would be in a gloomy mood. Boy, was I wrong!
Everybody was smiling and greeting each other Merry Christmas even though it was still four hours before the clock struck 12. I asked a co-worker why she was still happy even though we were at the office instead of the Christmas dinner table at home. I smiled at her reply.
“Why would I be sad? I’ll be celebrating Christmas with my friends here in the office,” she said.
That’s the true spirit of Christmas, I thought. 
Photo credit: avlxyz
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
yikes.. that must be frustrating… at least the whole day off work will be given to you.. would be great…
novas last blog post..Dneero’s Surveys…
Okay, so I will be dumb and ask, LOL. What is Call Center? I mean, like, what do you do there? I mean, I know you take calls, but for what? The homeless? The abused? Suicide victims? Prostitutes? Runaway children? Now you have me really curious! I am not trying to be a smart aleck, I am serious, Hon. I find your blog quite interesting. I just want to know what kind of calls you get. I know you can’t give out specifics, b/c that would take away the callers’ annonymity. Just wondering who is calling. Thanks!
Krissy
visit my main blog: Sometimes I Think
visit me on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/iamkrissy
Hi Krissy Knox,
Thanks for your comment.
Re: callers: It really depends on the nature of the account you’re in. For example, if the account is all about technical support on certain appliance then we usually get calls from people who needs online ‘repair’ assistance
More on the callers profiles (examples):
children, men, women, old folks, professionals, store owners, merchandisers, store staff, people with bank accounts / almost everyone from all walks of life…it really depends on the nature of the product/service their calling for.
——-
Hi Nova,
I got used to the set up.
It’s okay of course as long as we get compensated for the time we spent working, then its fine.
——-
Hi Hazel,
Yes, it would be more exciting to be at home on New Years Eve.
Thanks,
Call Center Gal
I did work this 24 and 25 of December this year! It was OK, lots of food and all. But still it was the longest day of my life!
Denniss last blog post..A Greeting From The Heart
nung asa hotel industry ako, sa mismong holidays dapat andun ang beauty ko. sempre ako pa ang emcee at host sa mga shows at games, waaa. ang maganda lang, sarap ng pakiramdam na nag eenjoy ang mga tao dahil sa mga kadramahan ko, hehe. at tama ka, ibang closeness yung kasama mo mga ka opis mo kapag holiday… sempre kapag ganun bitbit ko rin si nanay at tatay ko
kengkays last blog post..ganito yon
Thanks so much for answering, Call Center Girl!
Krissy
visit my main blog: Sometimes I Think
visit me on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/iamkrissy
krissy knoxs last blog post..Merry Christmas from John and Krissy
When I have had the unfortunate experience of working in retail during Christmas, I made sure to create a fun activity for everyone. Silly things like wearing Santa hats, having special treats to eat/drink (like apple Cider) and holiday music really make things brighter. It’s amazing how easy it is to turn a regular day into a party (and still get work done).
Besides, if people are in a good mood, they are usually better on the calls too!
that is much better that what I’m having here right now..
Let alone Christmas Eve, I even have to attend my office during the New Year’s Eve!!
To make it worse, I’ll be all alone..
nichives last blog post..Keep Track for Interaction
True, that will not sit right with me either. Christmas is all about family and I’d like to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with them. Thank goodness I have that option, many don’t.
joys last blog post..Winter In November
I have experienced working both during Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. Those were possibly the loneliest days of my life ever. That’s one of my biggest reasons why I left the call center industry.
I like your coworker’s positive outlook but I just can’t bring myself to endure that sad experience again. Seeing the fireworks go up all over the city at the 20th floor was both an exciting and heartbreaking experience which I don’t ever want to go through again. That’s why during these 2 nights, I feel sorry for those who have to work away from their family so they could listen to the problems of people they don’t even know.