We live in a world full of wondrous technological advances. Nannite technology in the medical field makes possible the repair of tissues on a cellular level. Self-learning artificial intelligence programs are emerging. We travel beyond the bonds of our planet and colonize space stations. The device you’re using right now to read this was unthinkable just 15 maybe 20 years ago. Yet, the piece of technology that I have found to be the most confusing to the masses is by far the cordless telephone. The telephone was invented in 1876, and has since become the single most widely used piece of tech here on planet Earth. Cordless phones have been around since 1965. But despite their 43 years in existence, some people have yet to grasp the concept. For instance:
A customer comes into the store asking for “a cordless phone.” After showing her a couple models, she picks one out and leaves happy. The next day, she comes back, walking in already carrying a bag and with a disgusted scowl on her face. An obvious product return. She plops the bag on the counter, pulls out the cordless phone half stuffed back into its box, and demands that I refund her money. I had no problem doing this no matter the reason for the return. But to offer better customer service, I asked what she did not like about the phone. She tells me, “Someone has opened this before I bought it, because the cord is missing.” Thinking she was referring to the power cord, I proceeded with the return. As I went, she explained to me that there was not even a hole on the handset to plug a cord into. Curious about what she meant, I asked her to show me. She picked up the handset, pulled a spiraled phone cord out of her purse, and handed them both to me snapping, “Here. You show me.”
An hour later I’m still explaining that cordless phones are just that. Cordless!
Point of interest, this happened again a few weeks later with another customer.