What Do I Do All Day Long By Alice Herb

By Alice Herb

So many people ask me what I do all day long since I no longer work. I always laugh, but it is a sardonic laugh. My typical reply is that each day of my so-called leisure makes me wonder how I ever had a full-time job, or even more than one, plus family responsibilities in earlier days. The fact is that I steal some “leisure” time to relieve the anxiety of never being able to finish a simple task without being interrupted by an e-mail or text that suggests that I need to sign in as there have been changes, that my most valued credit card has been compromised, that what I ordered on line is no longer available, or the wrong size, color, or substituted article has been sent. That does not include the many “upgrades,” or “changes in company practices,” that inevitably require either a phone call or “signing in” with a User ID and Password. That is just the beginning of my tirade.

Deciding to call requires me to mentally check my ability to accept either the long “hold,” because all representatives are busy, or attempt to have me “chat” with – I guess – a “robot” who doesn’t have the vaguest idea how to respond but does ask me to “verify” my identity before my query can be addressed. And then informs me to consult “frequently asked questions“ or disconnects the call altogether. However, finding the phone number in the first place requires a detective’s training, even if one calls a “telephone” provider. I am a very determined person, and I usually end up, after an hour or so, finding a HUMAN BEING who has the know-how to help me, but by then my ability to focus on what I was working on is off my personal radar screen.  

“Signing in” takes forever because the password no longer works, and I have to get a new one. I don’t think I have to describe how many times in a week I have to change passwords only to find out that the new ones don’t work either. Even when calling a hospital, I spent endless time over the last few weeks to “sign in” to access my patient record on “my portal.” I tried various passwords that did not work, only to be banned for several hours for not having the right password. Just today, I spent an hour trying to access my “medical record,” speaking to several people, each of whom transferred my call to another department that was more clueless than the previous one, until I found a PERSON willing to help.  

These are not isolated instances. Often, when I have a real temper tantrum and demand to speak to a supervisor or suggest that I am the patient or customer and the respondent is the employee representing the hospital, company, or whatever business it is, and it is their responsibility to answer my questions or direct me to the right department, they are SHOCKED that I demand such service from them.

I have previously written that password technology would drive me to distraction. Passwords may be taking the beating since they are the worst waste of time imaginable. Political campaigners are able to access my emails, texts, etc, as are foreign nations or criminals who can easily break the “privacy/confidentiality” of my accounts, but I, the owner, am unable to unscramble this morass of red tape. I am constantly reminded how little protection I am given by notices of “compromise” or public statements of mass compromise of such numbers. I am not fooled by these flimsy attempts to provide privacy and confidentiality, and even hospitals or companies with high-minded statements are able to rid themselves of people who used to do this kind of work and save loads of money. If more people object, maybe we will get some corrections. 

In the meantime, I would like my fellow old timers to remember what it used to be like before these “timesavers and money savers” were developed. If I called a doctor’s office, a secretary would answer and advise if the doctor was available or when (s)he would be able to call back. If I ordered something from a store or business, I was asked to wait to make certain the item or product was available and when it would be shipped out. If I had questions for a service provider, an operator would connect me to the right person or department. If I needed a quick answer, I either got it or was told when I would get a call-back or whom else to call. It’s a delight to call my audiologist, my financial advisor, or my accountant, whose offices still work with this “old” technology. I am even calling for a callback of pens, pencils, and paper. Less stress, fast response, a better way to do business. But we, the public, have to DEMAND THAT AND SAY THE HECK WITH AI. And then I could get my most important stuff done and have some real leisure time.

Alice Herb is a retired attorney, journalist, and bioethics consultant. Having reached the age of 90+, she’s more than ready to share her experiences and opinions with agebuzz readers. Want to comment on something she’s said? She welcomes your feedback at [email protected].

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