phony people

pavulon · 10-01-2013, 08:57 AM

the creepy people thread content reminded me of how aggravating disingenuous people are. I work at a hospital where the latest thing is scripting and "key words" especially the word "excellent". All of this is not driven by quality but the perception of quality reflected in some half-baked satisfaction survey.

How can people believe that anything good is associated with blatant insincerity?

KaptKaos · 10-01-2013, 09:58 AM

Excellent post.

Love ya! You're the best and tall too.

M.D. Holloway · 10-01-2013, 10:16 AM

Born from the PC movement as well as the marketing survey movement which was built to justify and promote...

I have heard over the past few years the word 'perfect' being used to acknowledge a particular plan or statement. This use of the word really torques my old man. "Why do so many people use the word perfect so much." and after another beer he would say "Perfect is almost impossible and should be a goal one never truly achieves but should always strive for..." I guess the same could be said for the word 'excellent' as well.

As for creepy folks, seems like certain parts of the country have more than others. I met some folks on planes that come off really polished and sophisicated and then they go down this road of self-amazement. I guess i had no idea there were so many perfectly excellent people from California!

Amail · 10-01-2013, 10:25 AM

I tried restraining my speech once. My wife made a delicious lasagna. I was going to tell her it was perfect, but I reigned myself in and said "it'll make a turd".

I didn't realize how long it takes for a nose to really stop bleeding.

GH85Carrera · GH85Carrera's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amail

I tried restraining my speech once. My wife made a delicious lasagna. I was going to tell her it was perfect, but I reigned myself in and said "it'll make a turd".

I didn't realize how long it takes for a nose to really stop bleeding.

That is funny.

RWebb · RWebb's Garage

phoney?

anybody in HR

widgeon13 · 10-01-2013, 12:59 PM

There are some places where this actually works. Ritz Carlton comes to mind. You may pay for it but they certainly seem sincere. When you ask a RC employee for assistance they always respond "my pleasure". If you ask for directions they most always will actually take you where you want to go on the property. It is not failsafe but it has been my experience. (I'm certain someone with immediately disagree) Excellent!!

Most other places and you are dead on, it's just a facade. And a very transparent one at that.

pavulon · 10-01-2013, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M.D. Holloway

I have heard over the past few years the word 'perfect' being used to acknowledge a particular plan or statement. This use of the word really torques my old man. "Why do so many people use the word perfect so much." and after another beer he would say "Perfect is almost impossible and should be a goal one never truly achieves but should always strive for..." I guess the same could be said for the word 'excellent' as well.

I'd hope to be able to take people at their word...and if for even a moment I think they are insincere, I'm severely challenged to believe anything they've said. I suspect that is something that is nearly impossible to change but seems to serve me reasonably well.

Anymore, I feel like HR/marketing is trying to create a medical analog of QVC.

ossiblue · 10-01-2013, 01:48 PM

"Excellent" is the new "Awesome."

VaSteve · 10-01-2013, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by widgeon13

There are some places where this actually works. Ritz Carlton comes to mind. You may pay for it but they certainly seem sincere. When you ask a RC employee for assistance they always respond "my pleasure". If you ask for directions they most always will actually take you where you want to go on the property. It is not failsafe but it has been my experience. (I'm certain someone with immediately disagree) Excellent!!
.

That's part of how they are trained and got the Malcolm Baldridge award. If you call the front desk and state you want your room at 77 degrees, next time you check in it should already be at 77 degrees. They log all that stuff.

Hugh R · 10-01-2013, 02:28 PM

Better than "no problem", as if my request could have been a "problem". I hate it when I call some entity and they need verification of my identity like the last four of my SS# and when I give it to them they say "perfect".

Amail · 10-01-2013, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh R

Better than "no problem", as if my request could have been a "problem".

My biggest pet peeve in the world! I especially don't like getting it when I thank someone. I'm expressing gratitude, not apologizing, so now my good humor is ruined - piss off!

tweezers74 · 10-01-2013, 04:10 PM

Wow. All of you guys would hate me then. I use the word perfect, excellent, and the phrase "no problem" all the time. And ironically, I am about the most non-phoney person you could meet. I use those phrases because to tell you honestly, I don't even think about what I am saying when I am being true. So words may just come out of my mouth that may or may not exactly fit the situation. Like "no problem" in response to thank you. I am a nurse. I love helping people and I truly want to. If someone got mad at me or annoyed because I used the "wrong" words, well, that wouldn't really want me to be nice to anyone.

Maybe give other people a little compassion and give them the benefit of the doubt. I think that is being truly sincere and not phony.

Amail · 10-01-2013, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tweezers74

Wow. All of you guys would hate me then. I use the word perfect, excellent, and the phrase "no problem" all the time. And ironically, I am about the most non-phoney person you could meet. I use those phrases because to tell you honestly, I don't even think about what I am saying when I am being true. So words may just come out of my mouth that may or may not exactly fit the situation. Like "no problem" in response to thank you. I am a nurse. I love helping people and I truly want to. If someone got mad at me or annoyed because I used the "wrong" words, well, that wouldn't really want me to be nice to anyone.

Maybe give other people a little compassion and give them the benefit of the doubt. I think that is being truly sincere and not phony.

My son tells me the same thing. I know people's hearts are in the right place, I'm just a dick about it. I'm working on it.

nynor · 10-01-2013, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pavulon

the creepy people thread content reminded me of how aggravating disingenuous people are. I work at a hospital where the latest thing is scripting and "key words" especially the word "excellent". All of this is not driven by quality but the perception of quality reflected in some half-baked satisfaction survey.

How can people believe that anything good is associated with blatant insincerity?

LOL! when i worked at the U of U hospital, they did the exact same thing. scripting. pathetic.

our country is now driven with the idea that perception triumphs over substance.

Bill Douglas · 10-01-2013, 05:22 PM

It's about how you perceive things. For instance the waitress asks "How was your dinning experience here at **** " and you say while looking at her chest "Lovely thanks!"

Bill Douglas · 10-01-2013, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amail

I tried restraining my speech once. My wife made a delicious lasagna. I was going to tell her it was perfect, but I reigned myself in and said "it'll make a turd".

I didn't realize how long it takes for a nose to really stop bleeding.

I don't think I can stop giggling. I'd try that myself but I really don't want to risk the bleeding nose.

dtw · 10-01-2013, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tweezers74

Wow. All of you guys would hate me then. I use the word perfect, excellent, and the phrase "no problem" all the time. And ironically, I am about the most non-phoney person you could meet. I use those phrases because to tell you honestly, I don't even think about what I am saying when I am being true. So words may just come out of my mouth that may or may not exactly fit the situation. Like "no problem" in response to thank you. I am a nurse. I love helping people and I truly want to. If someone got mad at me or annoyed because I used the "wrong" words, well, that wouldn't really want me to be nice to anyone.

Maybe give other people a little compassion and give them the benefit of the doubt. I think that is being truly sincere and not phony.

Having spent way too much time in doctor's offices and hospitals this year, may I just say "THANK YOU". Your colleagues here have all treated me with a great deal of caring and sincerity. It has meant a lot to me, at the times when I have needed it the most. Y'all are the best. Keep on using the "wrong" words - if you're anything like the nurses that have kept me going this year, your sincerity isn't in question with me.

nynor · 10-01-2013, 06:15 PM

tweeze, we are not talking about sincerity. we are talking about the corporation telling their employees, sometimes enforcing, to use certain catchphrases, scripts, to convey a 'message'. not only is this kind of nonsense dishonest and phony, it is counterproductive.

for the record, i always try to up-sell the people i work with. but you won't catch me up-selling the folks that i know are worthless.

always nice to hear from you, tweeze! keep up the good work!

911SauCy · 911SauCy's Garage

My current boss couldn't be more phony... Every phone call starts with a "hey buddy" "how's everything" which we are not nuddies and he really doesn't care. When we're discussing deals, everything is responded to with "cool" and all calls end with "stay well"...

I pretty much can't stand anyone calling me their "buddy" or "pal". From experience, thats the universal sign of a slimey person...