Easy American Idioms » Lesson 5 - Like Pulling Teeth
Salena: What a pain in the neck! It’s like pulling teeth trying to get anything done with them!
Dario: What? Who?
Salena: The credit card company sent another bill to my old address!
Dario: Not again . . .
Salena: This is the third time! I thought we got things squared away after the last time I called. Now they’re saying I have to cough up 150 dollars in late fees!
Dario: You’re gonna call and get that ironed out, right?
Salena: I don’t know . . . I’m so tired of dealing with them, I think I might just bite the bullet and pay the late fee.
Dario: Don’t do that . . . That’s not right . . . Call again and insist on talking to someone who can get it off your record.
Salena: Dario, it’s like flogging a dead horse . . . Every time I call I get the same story. Address changed, everything should be fine. And if I ask to speak with a manager, I have to call back later because no one is there.
Dario: Sounds like they’re giving you the runaround. Just cancel the card and refuse to pay.
Salena: Well, I will cancel the card, but if I don’t pay, I’ll have that on my credit record.
Dario: If I were in your shoes, I’d call right now.
Salena: Okay . . . Fine . . . You’ll see.
Kurtis: Hello, my name is Kurtis. How can I help you today?
Salena: Hi, Kurtis. I got a bill saying that I owe late fees, but the problem is that your company keeps sending statements to my old address, so the payment is already late by the time I get them, and . . .
Kurtis: Okay, let me just pull up your account. Just one moment. Okay, there we are. I see that your address is listed as 47 Maple Terrace. . .
Salena: Yeah, that’s my new address. But the statements are still being sent to the old one.
Kurtis: Okay, let me just put through a change of address, and we’ll . . .
Salena: No, Kurtis, I’ve been down that road before. A few times in fact. I really just want to have these late fees taken care of. Obviously, I shouldn’t have to pay them.
Kurtis: I understand ma’am, but unfortunately I don’t call the shots in that area.
Salena: Okay, then I’d like to talk to someone who does.
Kurtis: All right, ma’am. If you’ll just hold . . .
Salena: Kurtis, please don’t put me on hold. I’ve been trying to take care of this problem for weeks now, and I’m really at my wit’s end. I need to speak to someone right now.
Kurtis: I’m sorry ma’am, but no one is available right now. If you’ll just hold . . .
Salena: Kurtis, look, I don’t mean to get on your case personally, but I feel like I’m just spinning my wheels every time I talk to someone in customer service. I’m very dissatisfied, and I’m very frustrated. I’ve got a good mind just to cancel my card.
Kurtis: I’m really sorry you feel that way, ma’am. You are a valued customer, and . . .
Salena: Kurtis, please don’t feed me that line! If I’m such a valued customer, why can’t anyone take care of my problem? It really is beyond me how your company can call me a valued customer but continue to . . .
Kurtis: Ma’am, I’m really sorry, but my hands are tied. If you’ll just let me put you on hold or call back later, I’ll . . .
Salena: Call back later? Are you out of your mind? I . . . Wait, you know what, I’m not going to take out my frustration on you. I know it’s not your fault, that you just work there, but I’ve really had it with your company. I’d like to go ahead and cancel my card.
Kurtis: Okay, ma’am. I’m sorry to hear that, but I do understand. I’m going to transfer you to our Cancellations Department, so if you’ll just hold . . .
Salena: Oh, for crying out loud . . .
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The purpose of the Illustrated Everyday Expressions with Stories series is to introduce English language learners to common idioms through humorous examples and illustrations. The lessons in this book will both entertain and enlighten students while providing exposure to how each idiom can be used in a variety of contexts.
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