07/02/2024
Question:
Is it a Millennial/Gen Z thing to ask “How are you doing today?” to initiate a business call? I think it’s weird.
In the past, when I heard “How are you doing today?” from someone who is not a personal acquaintance, I automatically thought they were about to try to sell me something; and I was usually correct. I don’t normally get this from older folks but lately, I’ve noticed with the younger adults that call my office looking for an accountant, when I answer the phone by saying “*name of business*, how may I help you?” the reply I receive is “Hi, how are you today?”
First of all, you just answered a question with a question which is always shady. Second of all, why do you care? I’ve had to stop answering truthfully because my boss got too many complaints about his rude receptionist (me). Apparently, responding to the question “How are you doing today?” with the truth of “I’m busy” and an immediate follow-up of “Again, how can I help you?” is considered rude to these whiney snowflakes.
To me, not answering a question as soon as you’re asked is ‘rude’. Wasting someone’s valuable time is ‘rude’. But what do I know? I admit I received most of by professional training in New York/New Jersey back in the late 90’s where getting to the point, efficiency and getting things done accurately and as quickly as possible were prioritized. Idol, useless chit-chat under the superficial guise of being ‘polite’ was not a thing in day-to-day operations. So, maybe I’m out-of-touch with the new-aged way of being professional.
Is it just me?
