wildflowermama

Growing up my friends list was mostly guys. I liked hanging around with guys throughout high school. I did have a best girl friend. I love her dearly, but as most girls, she was super-high maintenance. I guess that was why I was drawn to guy friends, more fun, less drama. I never really thought much about it.

Later in my life, when my Mother died, some of her friends came up to me and told me how much her friendship meant to them. They told of stories when they all worked together, about this incredible lady who really wanted the best for them. They told me that, unlike other women they knew, she was so supportive. She instilled in them that they could do anything that they wanted to, encouraged them to be super mom’s, super friends and always go for the gold. Whether it was a promotion or personal goal, my Mom was there routing for them. She set a wonderful example and they all followed. They said that most women don’t like to see other women succeed, that, in their experiences, it was much more of a competitive, less than honest world of women out there and that my mom was a jewel. I’m glad I was raised by Peggy Celentano. I hope to always be a friend to the women in my life like she was and to always gravitate towards women like my mom.

So, back to why I like men. It has been my personal experience that whenever I get a woman on the phone regarding any customer service, I’d better hang up. If I have a problem with a bill, a special order, a hotel room request, a car rental service, if a woman answers, chances are, I will not get any help. I’m not sure why. Like somewhere deep in the gene makeup women simply don’t want to help other women. Maybe even subconsciously.

I actually have called the Disneyland Hotel several times over the years, was told that the Annual Passholders discounts had expired, that all hotels were sold out. I would simply hang up the phone, call back, wait for a man to answer and then have a choice of several rooms, discounts, and special requests. I am not kidding.

I’ve called airlines about frequent flier miles, and have had terrible luck. Called back several times until a man answered and walla, perfect customer service. I’ve talked to exceptions to this rule, but they are few and far between.

I have a credit card that I forgot to pay this month (it’s due later than everything else). I realized 5 days after it’s due date and went online to pay it. Sadly, they charged me a $39 late fee, raised my APR to 29% and tacked on horrible finance charges. Called, spoke to a woman, no luck. Called back, spoke to a man, he reversed the late fee, took off all of the finance charges for the month and reduced my APR even lower than it was before and asked me if there was anything else he could do to help me.

There is something to all this. Until I get a PhD in Psychology, I’ll keep calling back until a man answers, even if I’ve been on hold forever waiting for the ‘next available operator,’ because I know it’ll be worth it.

Or, maybe it’s just me.