Discussion:On and on and on and on and.......................
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Rgtaxservice (talk|edits) said: | 7 February 2009 |
| I had Chatty client today. You know the type and it how happens. You've gone over the preliminaries, then the return, and now for the two minute 'chat' to wrap things up. And then it happens. They just drone on and on about people, family, friends, and just about anything in the universe. You try look interested, yet your mind is thinking of 'what you can be working on' or 'how do I reply to that?'. This went on for 15 minutes!!!! | |
| February 7, 2009 | |
| Did you try nonverbal communication like looking at your watch or clock? Fifteen minutes is too much time to be spending with a client "chatting" if you have other things to do . . . well, unless you're going to bill for the time. But I'll bet you're not going to. | |
Death&Taxes (talk|edits) said: | 7 February 2009 |
| I stand up....long time clients even tell me, "I know you are through, you're standing." I am also fortunate that where I see people in a lawyer's office, the receptionist buzzes me to tell me the next person is here. | |
| February 8, 2009 | |
| That would certainly send a stronger message than looking at a watch, D&T. | |
Actionbsns (talk|edits) said: | 8 February 2009 |
| I have a chatty client and I know that when she comes in we will spend 5 minutes on the tax return and 40 minutes on her telling me all about her family the last year. She's a woman close to 80 years old, she drives to my office from about 20 miles away, has had major surgeries (that I've also gotten to hear about), finds walking difficult and since I don't have an elevator in my building, she walks up two flights of stairs VERY CAREFULLY. She won't call me from the parking lot so I can come down to get her stuff and she won't have to climb the stairs. She's a real sweetheart and I would be a total jerk to try to get rid of her. When she comes back, it'll be the same thing all over. Sometimes, it's just a service to our clients. Not that all of them should do this, but once in a while, we just have to burn our time being patient. All the others, I look at my watch, cough, stand up, use in-patient body language, generally try to get them out. I do understand your frustration RG, but there are times...... | |
| February 8, 2009 | |
| How does that work Kevin? I mean, my sons are real good at burping whenever they want, but I don't think even they would be able to pass gas on demand. | |
Death&Taxes (talk|edits) said: | 8 February 2009 |
| Here I portray two Chatty Pattys (once you get thru the reminisces of my grandmother): | |
| February 8, 2009 | |
| You could get a small whoopee cushion and discretely sit on it.....at least the sound effect might work.
I usually have my dog in the office with me, and as she's a lab (aka garbage disposal on four legs), the passage of gas is a regular and often eye-burning experience. I do as D&T does; stand up and move around my desk with a comment "nice chatting, but I see my next client has arrived". I do enjoy my clients, but going home at seven instead of eight beats the chit-chat. | |
| 8 February 2009 | |
| Now Kevin - say you had several law firms who hired you frequently to be their expert witness.
And, you were on the witness stand qualifying in open Court - to see if you possessed the Professionalism required for this Expert Testimony. And, Opposing Counsel read your last (gas filled) post. Hence, I suggest the very reason not to have your identity connected with that smelly post. | |
Rgtaxservice (talk|edits) said: | 9 February 2009 |
| Nat, you are correct. I didn't for bill for time. Actually, as a preparer I don't bill time anyway.
Action, this was also a 'little old lady' so I was kind of stuck. In cases like those I try to think "How would I want someone to treat Gram" and that keeps me straight. | |
Rgtaxservice (talk|edits) said: | 9 February 2009 |
| Speaking of 'passing gas' and other bodily functions and not to be gross. Have you ever had those urges while sitting across from the client? I remember one year sitting across from my 5pm appointment client when my 12pm lunch of chili dogs started to rumble in my belly. I knew the pending gaseous buildup was going to be bad. I politely excused myself...with the excuse that I needed to go into the other part of the house to let the dog out. I proceeded outside and into the garage (to muffle the sound). To this day I am still surprised at the loud roar that eminated from my backside. | |
| February 9, 2009 | |
| LOL. Rg, chili dogs? Didn't anyone tell you that you should avoid those kinds of foods when you have appointments during the day?
I think we all have clients who we feel we need to give a little more of our time (usually not billed) than we do others. I guess the trick is to not have a whole lot of those clients. | |
Rgtaxservice (talk|edits) said: | 9 February 2009 |
| Oh, I've learned. I have rules now.
No nasty lunches. No garlic during the season No cranberry juice. No bachelor parties the night before appointments. <- That was the longest day ever. Even my hair hurt that morning. | |
Death&Taxes (talk|edits) said: | 9 February 2009 |
| I have literally dozed off for a nano-second or two while a client is talking....you know that realization that something passed you buy. I am the type that 3-10 minutes of nap does wonders, but when I do see clients, I rarely eat much at all. I graze on snacks and bottled water. This year I think I will try crackers and hummus.
One thing I have learned if your office is not in your house: never go the bathroom when your client is there if they are the same sex....they follow and keep asking questions while you pee. So another qualification for our profession is having a wooden leg. I do work at home and see a few clients here. My new dog, Watson, discourages any of them from leaving my office for our bathroom further in the house, for he follows barking all the way, and his bark is very loud. | |
| February 9, 2009 | |
Crackers and humus . . . now that's a nutritious snack! As far as the toilet issue goes, I don't think it's quite the same for women. 
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| 9 February 2009 | |
| no garlic in the hummus. At least not if it causes gas in your digestive system like it does mine. | |
