Okay, so I'm a Customer Service Fanatic - I admit it. Customer Service fascinates me. I love telephone headsets too - you know that already!

What you may not know is that I'm also a great fan of the English language. After all, the use of language is one of the biggest challenge facing Customer Service. Sight the following-

An Australian friend was with me last week and he wanted to buy some clothes to swim in. We went into a well known clothing store and were approached by a Customer Service Rep that had previously provided me with excellent Customer Service on numerous occasions. My Australian friend is well educated and reasonably intelligent; however his is proudly Australian and relishes the use of his local idiom. Still, he does speak English, or so I thought, until -

"Hi, I'd like some cheap togs". This immediately drew a blank expression from the Customer Service Rep. "Some cossies... wet flans... trunks..."

Out of frustration my friend grew more Australian and concluded with - "Crikey Mate - some Wollies Wet ' n' Wilds!!!"

Having quite enjoyed the journey I added "Something to wear swimming". The relieved Customer Service Rep sighed and replied "Why didn't he say so in the first place?"

George Bernard Shaw once said that "England and America are two countries separated by the same language" - clearly Australia is in a totally different hemisphere - well, yes, I know it is!

Isn't it absolutely brilliant that, as with this usually unflappable Customer Service Rep who continually provides exemplary Customer Service, every so often we come against a new challenge even simply serving, what would seem to be, a perfectly ordinary Customer.

Hurrah for challenges!

Viva la Difference!