pettyrevenge:

So, I work tech support for a very large tech company and I help provide support for desktop and laptop computers that my company makes. Guy calls in, he is having a hard time troubleshooting his mail application. It’s receiving mail but isn’t able to send mail.

This is a pretty common call, sometimes our mail program likes to delete the SMTP password line if anything else changes to help prevent any kind of fraudulent/spam emails from being sent by your computer.

I assure him I’ll be taking care of this problem the best I can and I start to ask a few probing questions when he stops me and asks to speak to a senior advisor.

Me: I know what the source of the problem is most likely and should have this solved in 2-3 minutes, may I ask why you want to speak to a senior advisor?

Customer: This is nothing personal but I just don’t feel that a woman will be able to fix my email problem.

Me: I assure you that I already likely know what the problem is, how to solve it, and it will be quicker than holding 8-10 minutes for a senior advisor. My gender does not prevent me from helping you with your email.

Customer: Just get me to a senior advisor. I am not going to let you help me.

So I asked him to hold for a few while I get in contact with a senior advisor. I called one up and he was male. Explained the situation and got off the phone. Called a second time, got another male. Explained the situation and got off the phone. Called a third time, got a female senior advisor. Explained the situation, she was DELIGHTED to take the call.

(changing names due to confidentiality)

I merged the calls.

Me: Hello, Ron? Are you still there?

Ron: Yes.

Me: Thanks for holding. I’ve got a senior advisor on the line per your request. Her name is Katrina. I’ve caught her up to speed as to the problem with your mail program and she will be further assisting you from here.

Sorry, sexist pig. You aren’t getting your way. You will realize that women have brains, too. Just because my skin is softer and my chest sticks out further than yours does not mean I don’t know how to direct you to fill in the password slot in your SMTP mail settings. Jerk.