I’m starting to think that people have forgotten how to listen.

For those that don’t know me well, I work for a small company, I am the primary employee and there is a part-time worker.  I just had the following conversation (bits between the greater than and less than symbols have been edited for anonymity):

Me: <Company Name>, Michael speaking.
Caller: Hi, it’s Matthew <Last Name> here.
Me: Hi Matthew, how’s it going?
Caller: I was just wondering if you could tell me when I am rostered on next?
Me: Ummm, sorry? I think you have the wrong number.
Caller: Oh, is this the Base Hospital?
Me: No, sorry.
Caller: Ok, seeya.
Me: Seeya

If this person knew how to listen properly I would have expected the conversation to go either of the following two ways.

Option one, if the caller was really listening to what I was saying:

Me: <Company Name>, Michael speaking.
Caller: Sorry, i think I have the wrong number.

Option two, if the caller was listening, but was expecting the hospital and was caught off guard:

Me: <Company Name>, Michael speaking.
Caller: Sorry, what company was this?
Me: <Company Name>
Caller: Sorry, I must have the wrong number.

Seriously, people should learn to listen; and to think, this guy works in a hospital where people’s lives may be at stake.  I hope he’s a cleaner or something and isn’t a doctor or a nurse.