Calling India

I needed a validation code to register Quickbooks 2005 in the computer today, so I called their 800 number to request for it. It did not take long before I was forwarded to an operator. The reception did not sound like it's connected to the USA, and the operator sounded Indian.

"Good afternoon, Pam. My name is Neo. How may I help you today?"
"Oh, I just need a validation code for Quickbooks 2005?"
"Ok, let me just run through a few questions before we proceed."
"Alright."
"How are you today?" - (uhm... what?)
"I'm good, thanks."
"And how's the weather there now?" (are we talking about the weather now?)
"It's good, pretty gloomy as it will rain this afternoon."
"That's good to know. Ok, we may now proceed. Is this your first time to install Quickbooks?" (he said it like he was reading his cheat notes...)
"Yes."
Then he asked for the License no. and I gave it. And then he said it will take a few minutes before the computer generates the validation code. Uh oh. How many minutes? 10 more minutes of small-talking? I haven't got all day.

Then he goes, "Sooo... how long have you been working for your company?"
"Couple of years, I guess."(not), said I.
"I see... is it fun?"
"Sure, it is." (notice, it's a one-question-one-answer exchange) And then I thought, what the heck. I have friends who are working in call centers back in Manila, so what the heck.
"So where are you from? Is this in Bombay?", I continued.
"Oh no, we're located at the southern part of India."
"What time is it there now?"
"It's 1130pm now."
"Oh that's nice, it's 130pm NY time."
"You should visit India as you are very much welcome here."
"I've never been to India - but I'd love to go."
"Have you tried Indian food?"
"I love Indian food! I like the Chicken Tikka..."
"... Masala! (he cut me) That's my favorite!"
"I wouldn't have guessed. But, that's good to know."
"Do you like spicy food?"
"I like Thai-spicy and a little bit of Indian curry-spicy."
"That's good. Why don't you come to India, it is beautiful here."
"I really will, but not now. I have many things going on. It gets crazy in New York. So... is the code ready yet?"
"Oops! It just popped out. I'll give it to you now."

And he did. And it took us another 2 minutes talking about non-Quickbooks related topics. We didn't go as far as talking about his mother, but he was nice. Oh, and I asked him to spell his name (it was N-E-O)... and I said, "Like in The Matrix?", and he jumped "Yes! Yes! I like that movie a lot and I am very impressed with NEO in the movie." and another 1 minute of talking about The Matrix.

Before I put the phone down, I was asked to complete a little 3-question survey regarding the whole experience of calling the operator. I was battling between giving a lower score for being not business-like, and a high score for trying to entertain me through food, Matrix and travel talk. I gave him a 9. :)