Sometimes technology breaks down when part of it works too well.
The over-performing device in question is a set of wireless earbuds I got a few months ago. For reasons even I don’t understand, I collect headphones like trading cards and usually have multiple sets around the office: one that is integrated in a set of blue blocker glasses to protect my vision from looking at screens all day, one that is huge with booming bass and the earbuds mentioned above which allow the user to put in both or one at a time. (There are usually about 30-50 teenagers wearing them at every sporting event.)
They may be a little too discrete as both Cindy and Wyndi will not realize I’m on a phone call when I’m only using one earbud. This often leaves me responding to both someone standing at my desk and the person I’m speaking to on the phone. The microphone also works a little too well.
Me: “That’s very funny.” In-person Person: “What is?” Me: “I was just talking about something that happened last night.”
Caller: “I know you were.” In-person Person: “What happened last night?”
Caller: “Who’s that?” In-person Person: “Oh, are you on the phone?”
If you’re socially awkward, this situation has a difficulty level of about 7 as you try to figure out whether to tell the person on the phone that someone’s talking to you or tell the person in the office that you’re on the phone.
I usually default to huge headphones just so people know I’ve got them on at least.
Last week, I was using the tiny earbuds to complete everyone’s favorite pastime: paying a utility bill over the phone when Cindy came into the office.
Pay by phone system: “If you’d like to use the debit card on file, please enter or say the last four digits of the card.”
Me: “Four- Five…” Cindy (Entering the office): “SIXTY-FIVE degrees yesterday and now it’s cold again!”
System: “I’m sorry, please try again. Please enter or say the last four digits of the card on file.”
Me “Four…” Wyndi: “…30s today…” System: Please hold while I connect you with an operator.
On the plus side, I think I made the operator’s day as I told her the story. She kept laughing as she helped me make the payment.
I don’t know if the message of this story is promoting how well my Soundcore earbuds work or encouraging you to be more aware of your surroundings when using headphones… Maybe it’s don’t call in payments when the temperature drops.
The important thing is we learned… something.