commentr/StutterAugust 28, 2021

Content

Hey OP, Call center manager here. I started on the front-lines answering calls, and worked my way up. I've been in the industry for roughly 15 years. No sugar coating it, it sucked. It sucked a LOT. However, you know how you don't stutter (or considerably less) when you're singing or otherwise performing? That helps a lot. I'm assuming you'll have to say something along the lines of "thanks for calling Business Name, this is OP, how can I help?" In the call center business I said something similar, that was my script. My performance. The people calling in, they don't know you or know that you stutter. They don't care who you are, they just want to get their stuff solved. That helped me. Aside from that truthfully, relying on internet to communicate with business only hurt me. Just like how you saw it as "I saw no other choice as they didn't have an email," that can subtly get you stressed before you make the call, and you stutter more. You don't WANT to do it, you're being forced. For a good year or so I tried it the other way. I want a pizza, I call in vs ordering online. That too, is like a script. I wrote out what I wanted, I knew they would ask me for my name and address, so a script was easy. I would call a game store and ask them if a certain videogame was in stock. Things like that. I think also, continue to work with your speech therapist. We can give anecdotal advice, but they've dedicated a lot of their life to this AND know you a bit more personally. I'm sure they can give you great phone tips! Finally, I also absolutely encourage you to read [Self-Therapy for the Stutterer](https://www.stutteringhelp.org/Portals/English/book0012_11th_ed.pdf) by Malcolm Fraser, which is hosted for free on The Stuttering Foundation's website. I haven't been pulling "what's worked for me" out of my butt, it's all based on research that generally came from this book. It's what's helped me the most in my life. Congrats on the job, I know you'll crush it. Keep us updated on how it goes!

Themes

Anticipation & AvoidanceSocial & Relationships

Subthemes

Avoidance & SubstitutionPreparation & RehearsalDisclosure & Telling Others

Codes (1)

telephone_video