posted
I've had some tax issues left to me by my dear financially ignorant mother in the form of tax returns unfiled during my younger years that I am now trying to resolve. So I called the firm that manages my trust fund last week and talked to my rep asking if I could transfer custodianship of myself to myself when I reach my majority in May. It went smoothly.
Today I called the same firm, and a young woman I have not dealt with begins a conversation of condescention. Obviously looking at my records and realizing how young I am, she starts being overly obvious and treating like I'm not so much a young adult with both intelligence and responsibilities, as an ignorant and helpless child.
I understood that I couldn't legally request the information I requested, as a technical minor, but I felt demeaned when she pretty much told me to get my mommy to call her back. What makes people older than me think that I am both helpless and clueless? It makes me angry, especially when these people are supposed to work for ME. Does anyone else get that, or am I just being overly sensitive and intolerant?
Posts: 1156 | Registered: Jan 2004
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quote:I understood that I couldn't legally request the information I requested, as a technical minor, but I felt demeaned when she pretty much told me to get my mommy to call her back.
While her tone might have been demeaning, I don't see how it's demeaning to tell refuse to give you the information that you yourself know you aren't entitled to.
Posts: 16551 | Registered: Feb 2003
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posted
It was the tone that concerned me. The man I've dealt with previously has talked with my mother and understands that I know more about what's going on than she does. I didn't expect to get anyone else, and my real purpose of calling was to explain what I needed so my mother wouldn't have to. I had already arranged for her to call saying I could have what I wanted, so, my bases being covered, I didn't deserve the tone or the "kiddifying." The real question here is whether people should assume I'm useless just because I wasn't born in 84.
Posts: 1156 | Registered: Jan 2004
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quote:The real question here is whether people should assume I'm useless just because I wasn't born in 84.
It becomes a question of averages:
Is the average person your age as knowledgable as you are about tax law?
Is the average person your age your age as responsible as you are?
Is the average person your age as mature as you are?
My inclination is to say "not even close," on all three counts.
Given that, and given the number of calls per day the average firm probably fields, it's probably more efficient for them to assume you know less than you do. "Efficient" business is all about catering to the lowest common denominator.
Nonetheless, it doesn't make a condescending tone necessary - even if you aren't 21, you certainly aren't 5.
Posts: 4313 | Registered: Sep 2004
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