Never ever give a typical Bong a job at a call center - It's just an invitation to disaster. Couple of days back I got a call on my cell, obviously from some guy trying to push sales of some new cell phone plan. Now as I had nothing better to do, I guess a little chit-chat with this guy wouldn't hurt!...Here's how the conversation went between me and the BOF (Bong on Fone)

BOF: Hello sir, am I speaking to Mr. Aditya Sen?
ME: Yes

BOF: Hello Mr. Sen, I'm calling from GoLive Cellular
ME: Ok, and?

BOF: I've just called to say that you're existing plan rate has been reduced as a special offer for you
ME: Thats great! But unfortunately I'm not with GoLive

BOF: I understand that sir. But this reduction applies on your existing plan itself.
ME: Ok. Thats great

BOF: Mr. Sen, from now on instead of $29 a month, you shall pay only $28.95!
ME: What? You reduced 5cents? Thats no reduction!

BOF: Along with that your existing call rates have also been dropped by 10c per minute
ME: Thats good then

BOF: And Mr. Sen, do you make international calls? If so, where to?
ME: Yeah, I usually make calls back to India

BOF: Thats excellent. Because our international rates to India have also been dropped by 13c per minute
ME: Thats good

BOF: Mr. Sen, if you don't mind, can I ask you a personal question?
ME: Sure

BOF: Are you an Indian?
ME: Yes

BOF: I'm an Indian too!
ME: Yeah, I kinda figured that out already

BOF: Can you speak bengali?
ME: Yes

BOF: Oh! aami o bangali. aapnar shate bangla te kotha bolte paari? (I'm also a bengali. Can I speak to you in bengali?)
ME: Yeah. Whatever suits you

BOF: Khoob bhalo. Acha Mr. Sen, aapnar ki kono mobile phone aache? (Very Good. Ok Mr. Sen, do you have a cell phone?)
ME: aami aamar mobile phone thike kotha bolche (I'm speaking from my mobile phone itself)

BOF: Oh! tale aami aapnake iktu bhool khobor boleche. Aapni kon provider'er shaate aacho? (Oh! Then I think I've given you the wrong information. Which provider are you with?)
ME: Three Cellular

BOF: Aapni monthly koto pay koren? (How much do you pay monthly?)
ME: $29

BOF: Ayeta oonek bhool hoiche. Sorry Mr. Sen, aami bhablam apni landline thike kotha bolchen (This is a big mistake. Sorry Mr. Sen, I thought you were speaking from your landline)
ME: Ok. Nice talking to you. Bye

BOF: Mr. Sen, aar ekta jinish jigesh korte paari? Aapni ki student? (Mr. Sen, can I ask one more thing? Are you a student?)
ME: Yes

BOF: Aacha. Kon university te porein? (Ok. Which university do you study in?)
ME: Why do you want to know?

BOF: Aami bas jigesh korte chai ki aapni ki Central Queensland University chenain? (I just wanted to ask if you know about Centeral Queensland University?)
ME: Haan. Jaani. Kano? (Yes. I know. Why?)

BOF: Univeristy 're theek ulto deeg aamar Mama thake! (My uncle lives right opposite the university)
ME: [cuts off the phone]


Can you imagine this guy?? Firstly he gives me wrong information. Then he blabbers on in bong. And then he starts telling me where his uncle lives!!! Sheesh....If I'd stayed on any longer, I would have probably known what he had for lunch too!
I keep hearing on how companies are planning to shift call center operations out of India to some other country. After this conversation I can see why!