"Of Course!" – The Unexpected Superpower of Customer Service

Have you ever noticed how customer service professionals have developed an uncanny superpower of making everything sound… expected? It's as if they’ve trained in the ancient arts of omnipotence and clairvoyance. From your simple requests to the most elaborate, bizarre concoctions – their response? “Of course!”

Imagine strolling into your local coffee shop and confidently placing the most outlandish, off-the-wall order:

"Hey, I’d like a Skinny Latte, with a hint of vanilla extract. But mind you, it has to be from the outer realms of the Amazon forest, coupled with a tinge of fire spice from the southern jungles of India. And the milk! Make sure it's from that rare breed of cow found only on the plains of Mongolia. And let's not forget, the coffee grounds should be exclusively grounded by that one monkey in Brazil with an MBA in grinding coffee beans. Also, could you please serve it in a William Morris Cup?”

The barista, without batting an eyelid, responds, “Of course!”

At this point, you have to wonder. Are baristas secretly members of some elite group of omnipotent beings, possessing knowledge far beyond us mere mortals? Or is it just an elaborate ruse, a status game where they refuse to be caught off-guard?

"Of course" has become the Swiss Army Knife of the service industry. It's efficient, neutral, and unassuming. It manages to convey a sense of camaraderie without any actual commitment.

But let's dissect this phrase a bit. “Of course” implies a given, an obviousness, a ‘why are you even asking’ sentiment. It’s the equivalent of a mathematician saying “2+2=4” when presented with a complex equation. But here's the funny thing: in the world of custom orders and personal preferences, what's 'obvious' is very relative.

So why the universal adoption of this phrase? Maybe it's a form of ego preservation. By saying "of course," the server asserts their worldly knowledge, ensuring the balance of power is maintained. "You might have thrown a curve-ball, dear customer, but I've seen it all!"

Maybe we need a new phrase to bridge the gap. Something that acknowledges the uniqueness of a request without making it sound mundane. "Absolutely!" or "No problem!" or even a cheerful, "We can do that!"

In the end, while we chuckle at the predictability of the “of course” response, there’s something genuinely comforting in its familiarity. It's the service industry’s equivalent of a reassuring pat on the back.

However, next time, maybe I’ll ask for a dragon-spiced latte brewed under a full moon and see if they still say, “Of course!” If they do, I'm convinced they're secretly wizards.

What's the most unique request you've made? Did you get an "of course"? Let us know in the comments!