I used to find “Out of [bill denomination]?” annoying, but I find myself saying it all the time at work, since I never know when a customer will want to add some change.
Here’s my dumbest question:
Me: [University bookstore]. This is Summer.
Customer: Can you tell me if you have the lab manual for biology 1406?
Me: Sure. The cat version?
Customer: Yeah.
I duly go and check the shelves.
Me: We’re out of the cat version. All we have left is the pig version.
Customer: What’s the difference?
That reminds me, my ex’s law firm just merged with another bigger law firm. She e-mailed me to let me know, but still, after years of hearing the receptionist say: “Alfalfa, Spanky, Buckwheat and Associates…” I totally blanked the first time I called and they answered “Groucho, Harpo, Zeppo and Chico.”
And AllShook’s right. Often business phones are answered quick to the point of “What didja say?” Or if there’s more than one business by the same kind of name… e.g If I called the Wellington Cinema, which is just down the street from the Wellington Hotel, and the Wellington Bistro, and they just answer the phone like this: “The Wellington, how can I help you?” you know I’m gonna have to ask “Is this the Wellington Cinema?”
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve noticed that I do this sometimes. My attention wanders briefly or the ID goes by too fast for me or it just seems indistinct (maybe a less than perfect phone connection). I know I sound like an idiot, and I feel like an idiot. I don’t blame you for being annoyed, but it happens.