Try redirecting him to stay on topic and not give him a chance to talk your ear off. I had students who were super chatty and wanted to talk about their life goals, and I would let them ramble for a minute, and then say, "So, did you have any other financial aid questions?"
Or, if they were really bad, I would put them on hold for a couple of minutes, then come back and say, "Thanks for holding, is there anything else I can help you with?" Or, if they were really bad, I'd say, "I have a student here now that I need to assist, is there anything else that can't wait?"
The trick is to not make it convenient for them to gab away endlessly. Of course, I never had someone on the phone try to mack on me, and that adds a complicated element.
If another call comes in, ABSOLUTELY put him on hold. DON'T give him your home phone number, whatever you do. You are 100% right in thinking he's not a 'just friends' kinda guy. They never are. :P
No home phone number. Never home phone number. Unless you really want Shad to answer it and scare the living shit out of him... because he would totally do that you know. I have to agree with placeboweek, although I'd probably also try to pass him off on other people. That's just a way to get rid of him if he's not actually interested in talking to anyone else. You could claim you don't know how to help him with what he needs and pass him off, and you might talk to one of the guys at work about it beforehand, tell them you've got this guy that's being stalkery but is technically a customer, and ask if they'd be willing to let you pass them off on them for your own protection. That's how I dealt with stalkers when I was at RShack, and the guys were good about helping protect me because it's just a very basic thing. If they're decent guys, they're going to have some sympathy for a younger woman getting semi-stalked.
Yeah, if there are other people who answer the phones, or someone you can transfer him to, try that. Mostly, just try to limit his time with you on the phone. Even if he wasn't hitting on you, he's still wasting your time.
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Or, if they were really bad, I would put them on hold for a couple of minutes, then come back and say, "Thanks for holding, is there anything else I can help you with?" Or, if they were really bad, I'd say, "I have a student here now that I need to assist, is there anything else that can't wait?"
The trick is to not make it convenient for them to gab away endlessly. Of course, I never had someone on the phone try to mack on me, and that adds a complicated element.
If another call comes in, ABSOLUTELY put him on hold. DON'T give him your home phone number, whatever you do. You are 100% right in thinking he's not a 'just friends' kinda guy. They never are. :P
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And thanks for the confirmation about my home number. I figured that was the right decision. XD
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Thanks for the sympathy. ;D
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I have to agree with placeboweek, although I'd probably also try to pass him off on other people. That's just a way to get rid of him if he's not actually interested in talking to anyone else. You could claim you don't know how to help him with what he needs and pass him off, and you might talk to one of the guys at work about it beforehand, tell them you've got this guy that's being stalkery but is technically a customer, and ask if they'd be willing to let you pass them off on them for your own protection. That's how I dealt with stalkers when I was at RShack, and the guys were good about helping protect me because it's just a very basic thing. If they're decent guys, they're going to have some sympathy for a younger woman getting semi-stalked.
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