Chris Sutton recently posted his chat with Sarah, Paypal's new automated help assistant. Curious about the service I checked it out and actually found Sarah quit attractive (that's her on the right). Even though we just had met I thought I would take that oh-so-frightful first step and see if she was interested in dinner with me. With sweaty hands and a nervous spirit I had the following conversation with Sarah.
Here is the transcript, I think you'll find Sarah is awfully coy:
Sarah - PayPal : Hello, I’m Sarah, and I’m here to answer questions you have about PayPal. Just type into the box below and click Submit to get started. I’m in training now, so if I don’t know the answer to your PayPal question, I’ll try to learn it for next time! You : Are you free for dinner on Friday? Sarah - PayPal : What precisely are you looking for? What are PayPal's fees? You : A date, preferably with you Sarah - PayPal : I'm not sure I've understood. Could you please rephrase that? You : Oh, sorry...I tend to rush things sometimes, let me try again. Sarah, I would be honored if you would accompany me to dinner on Friday. Would you be my guest? Sarah - PayPal : Sorry, but your phrase is too long and I will not be able to perform a full analysis. I would be very grateful if you could try to make it a bit shorter and more concise. You : Sorry Sarah, I'm just nervous... Sarah - PayPal : Don't worry. I am here to help you. It is nearly time to eat. You : Oh so you do want to go? Sarah - PayPal : I prefer to hang out here answering your questions 24/7/365. How can I help you? You : You can't get off for even one night? Sarah - PayPal : I'm not sure I've understood. Could you please rephrase that? You : Will your boss let off for even one night? I'm committed to my work too, but 24/7/365 is a bit much don't you think? Sarah - PayPal : Sorry, but your phrase is too long and I will not be able to perform a full analysis. I would be very grateful if you could try to make it a bit shorter and more concise. You : You work too much Sarah - PayPal : It's true that this doesn't leave me much family time or time with my friends. But I really do enjoy talking to you. You : I do too, that's why I'd like to take our relationship to the next level. Sarah - PayPal : I apologize if you can't find the infomation you seek by speaking with me. I'm unable to help with your request. Please enter a new question, visit the Help Center, or Contact Us. You : Is this like saying you have to "wash your hair"? If you're rejecting me a simple no will do Sarah - PayPal : You don't like my hairstyle? You : You're changing the subject. Sarah - PayPal : Could you be more precise please? How do I add/remove/edit personal information on my PayPal account? You : Well, you're cute, but a bit slow... Sarah - PayPal : Do you have a high-speed connection? If I take a bit of time to respond, it's because I'm working on 20 conversations at the same time. You : Yes I do have high-speed. 20 conversations? Not much for monogamy are you? Sarah - PayPal : If you'd like to continue chatting, I'm available to answer any questions you might have. You : One more time...would you like to go on a date? Sarah - PayPal : Do you mean: What is PayPal's phone number? How do I add/remove/edit personal information on my PayPal account? You : Ok, I can take the hint. Thanks anyway.
Sarah - PayPal : Hello, I’m Sarah, and I’m here to answer questions you have about PayPal. Just type into the box below and click Submit to get started. I’m in training now, so if I don’t know the answer to your PayPal question, I’ll try to learn it for next time! You : Are you free for dinner on Friday? Sarah - PayPal : What precisely are you looking for? What are PayPal's fees?
You : A date, preferably with you Sarah - PayPal : I'm not sure I've understood. Could you please rephrase that? You : Oh, sorry...I tend to rush things sometimes, let me try again. Sarah, I would be honored if you would accompany me to dinner on Friday. Would you be my guest? Sarah - PayPal : Sorry, but your phrase is too long and I will not be able to perform a full analysis. I would be very grateful if you could try to make it a bit shorter and more concise. You : Sorry Sarah, I'm just nervous... Sarah - PayPal : Don't worry. I am here to help you. It is nearly time to eat. You : Oh so you do want to go? Sarah - PayPal : I prefer to hang out here answering your questions 24/7/365. How can I help you? You : You can't get off for even one night? Sarah - PayPal : I'm not sure I've understood. Could you please rephrase that? You : Will your boss let off for even one night? I'm committed to my work too, but 24/7/365 is a bit much don't you think? Sarah - PayPal : Sorry, but your phrase is too long and I will not be able to perform a full analysis. I would be very grateful if you could try to make it a bit shorter and more concise. You : You work too much Sarah - PayPal : It's true that this doesn't leave me much family time or time with my friends. But I really do enjoy talking to you. You : I do too, that's why I'd like to take our relationship to the next level. Sarah - PayPal : I apologize if you can't find the infomation you seek by speaking with me. I'm unable to help with your request. Please enter a new question, visit the Help Center, or Contact Us. You : Is this like saying you have to "wash your hair"? If you're rejecting me a simple no will do Sarah - PayPal : You don't like my hairstyle? You : You're changing the subject. Sarah - PayPal : Could you be more precise please? How do I add/remove/edit personal information on my PayPal account?
You : Well, you're cute, but a bit slow... Sarah - PayPal : Do you have a high-speed connection? If I take a bit of time to respond, it's because I'm working on 20 conversations at the same time. You : Yes I do have high-speed. 20 conversations? Not much for monogamy are you? Sarah - PayPal : If you'd like to continue chatting, I'm available to answer any questions you might have. You : One more time...would you like to go on a date? Sarah - PayPal : Do you mean: What is PayPal's phone number? How do I add/remove/edit personal information on my PayPal account?
You : Ok, I can take the hint. Thanks anyway.
This blog contains the thoughts and discoveries of Tim Barcz, a technologist with a interests in computer programming technologies.