When I was young, the
purpose of a phone was to talk to someone and pass on messages or get
some updates. Now a day’s phone is much more than that! Right from
top of the line cameras to music players to whatever you can think of
in a palm sized gadget. With the ever changing technological
innovations, it is a must for a person to keep buying new phone to be
in sync. What has this got to with recognition? Well, it started
with me getting a brand new phone (Samsung Galaxy S8+) in the 1st
week of this year (2018). After so much analysis and deliberations,
which my wife can attest to, I got my hands on the beauty and it was
an exhilarating experience. Infinity display, telephoto feature,
facial recognition, being some of the features. Underlying to the
process of buying the phone was me switching cell phone service
provider as well. (FIDO to TELUS).
Day 1: I am
showing it off to my friends/family and unlocking/understanding the
various features of the phone. A feeling of pride/accomplishment (in
a sarcastic way).
Day 2: While at
work, I get a call from someone asking for someone else (a very
unique name, let’s call the person X). Typical to any wrong call
you receive, you make the statement, “I don’t think you dialed
the correct number, this is not the person whom you are trying to
reach”. God only knows in this age who even “dial” numbers, we
all have touch phones and don’t “dial” anymore (Some phrases
will not go away).
Same day, in the evening
as I am driving back home, I get a call asking for person X again. I
took the call via Bluetooth and made the same comment as in the
morning. Reach home, another call for person X. This time, I ask the
caller which number she dialed and she mentions a totally different
number to mine. Being analytical, I mentioned to the caller that,
maybe I am receiving all calls for X and to check with person X if
they have been receiving any calls at all.
Day 3 & 4:
Throughout the day, I get multiple calls for person X. Every time, I
was able to pick up the call, I mentioned to the callers that there
could potentially be a problem in that I am receiving all the calls
for person X and to try contacting person X through other means. I
even chit chatted with the callers and had a good laugh. I still did
not think it is a big deal and is a normal thing to do.
While discussing with my
wife, she even mentioned, that I, don’t get these many number of
calls in a month!!! Person X was/is a very popular person, indeed.
Day
5: Still received calls throughout the day and my usual comment
when I picked the calls. However, in the evening, person X herself
called me! It was a pleasant surprise and she thanked me for taking
the calls and being polite to her callers. She indicated that she had
switched cell providers and may be some sort of technical issue
happened. While chatting she indicated that she has reached out to
TELUS (service provider) and they are figuring out what the issue is.
I was planning to call TELUS that day as well and she mentioned not
to worry as she is talking to them. We texted couple of times and she
was very apologetic for no error of hers. Qualities of a good person.
Day 6, 7 & 8:
The issue continued; person X and I, still texted for updates and it
seems the service provider was perplexed as to how the cross wire is
happening. Person X was very apologetic which was so nice of her. I
continued to attend calls and ask the caller to call person X through
her other number. TELUS even called me couple of times (level 1 and
level 2 support staff) to check if they have fixed the error, which
obviously was not.
Day 10: Finally,
TELUS fixed the issue: they found out that there was a difference of
Milli-Micro-Mini-Nano second between when person X’s account and my
account was set up and somehow her number was added to my account
number!!! Person X and I spoke/texted that day where she continued
to thank me for being nice to her customers (which was not required
as I felt what I did was minimal work and is the right thing to do).
Day 11, 12, 13:
All good and back to routine.
Day 14: Morning, I
am at work and I receive a call from a Global news journalist, who
identified himself and indicated he would like to chat with me
regarding the cross wire issue. I was sure; pretty sure; someone is
pranking me. I googled (one word that has definitely changed) the
journalist by name and he seemed to be a genuine person and said yes.
I hypothesized that the journalist is going to run an article on
TELUS and immediately called my best buddy back home in India who is
in press services and asked for advice on what to say and what not to
say. He gave some sound advice as usual.
The journalist met me
near my work place and indicated that person X had provided my number
and spoke to her as well. He immediately called his cameraman (my
face was like one of the emojis you can think of) and started asking
me questions related to the incident. I realized then that the
purpose was to run an article on how a stranger can help another
stranger in a big city like this. Well my point was, I am glad it
turned out to be a help to person X’s customers, but it was a
natural thing to do. Guess what: I see the interview show up on the
6:00pm Global news and I had my 2 seconds of fame. The best laugh was
one of the callers during the issue was person X’s mom and she
thought person X has a new boyfriend! When the interviewer asked me,
I was shocked and my words that came out were, “I am happily
married with a beautiful person”. (the story was run nationally and
link to the same is here:
https://globalnews.ca/news/3972200/toronto-apple-watch-glitch/)
Day 15 & 16:
Appreciation from my colleagues, people whom I know in the past and
many others for the 2 second Celeb status and not for helping someone
else . I vaguely felt uncomfortable as I don’t think what I did
is worth of such a praise/action. Anyways went with the flow.
Day 19: Got a call
from CBC radio for a live in-chat session with person X and the host.
Surreal.
Day 23: Went to
the live radio show and first time met person X there. Very very nice
person. It seems that the callers were customers of person X and if I
was rude; she could have potentially lost business. Here is the link
to the radio chat:
http://www.cbc.ca/listen/shows/metro-morning/segment/15495144
I know it is a long
article and a bit boring probably. However, the key message is that a
small help can go a long way. I have heard the sentence before but
realized it after this incident. Directly or indirectly whatever
actions we do; has an effect and if it is good, you are going to be
recognized.
Leave it for the reader
to reflect on their moments.
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