Generically Yours

posted in: personal news, quirky 4

A few weeks ago, I paid a parking ticket online, through my town’s website. The town thoughtfully sent me an email acknowledging receipt. It began, earnestly and sincerely, “Dear GENERIC CUSTOMER…”

I feel goosebumps just remembering the warmth of the reply, enhanced as it was, by modern software design.

What’s your favorite memory of deeply personal public service?

4 Responses

  1. Trisha
    | Reply

    Our local PUD (public electric utility provider) moved their main offices to Sequim so they opened a small kiosk at a local grocery store. Then they closed that down and now the only option to pay “in-person” is at a little machine in the lobby of a gas station mini-mart and the user interface is horrible and totally counter intuitive. Boo.

    • jeffreyacarver
      | Reply

      Ouch. Sounds awful.

  2. Michael Fay
    | Reply

    Years ago, when I had a tech support contract for county offices in Upstate New York, I received a parking ticket in Ithaca, as I had to resort to a spot on the street, since the office lot was full.
    I returned home and mailed the check. About 10 days later, the check was returned with a note thanking me for the prompt payment, which was forgiven. Apparently I was not on the frequent offender list, as my office at the time was about a 40 minute drive from there.

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