When Caoimhe Ní Chatháil complained to Three that their system was not recognising her name, the simple answer would probably have been to suggest spelling it without the fadas – as their system doesn’t recognise ‘special characters’.
Not an ideal solution, granted. But sensible at least.
Instead, though, one member of the customer care team decided to think a little bit too far outside the box – and came up with the idea of using a ‘translation’ in ‘English’.
Hey Caoimhe, have you tried entering your name in English? Is the translation Caoimhe Cahill? Joolz
— Three Ireland Care (@ThreeCare) May 30, 2016
Not surprisingly, this didn’t go down particularly well
Definition of how not to respond to a customer when your software is wrongly configured #computerdoesntdofadas
— Seán Ó hAdhmaill (@Feirsteach) May 30, 2016
The network later explained that it was simply an issue to do with ‘special characters’, but the damage was done for Caoimhe – who explained that she has not been known by the name ‘Cahill’ since she was 12.
Luckily for Three, though, everyone seems to be in a smashing mood today
Maybe it’s the sunshine, or maybe it’s the prospect of a long weekend – but Twitter users reacted with humour instead of rage.
. @ThreeCare @CaoimheChats Have you tried entering your name in English? Is it Mickey Cobbler? pic.twitter.com/i116yhptWF
— Peter Kavanagh (@TheKavOfficial) May 30, 2016
@jodycoogan @CaoimheChats Maybe Jools should change spelling to Jules
— Seán (@Seanfhear59) May 30, 2016
.@CilliandeBurca @ThreeCare @CaoimheChats Have you tried the English version, Hostage Neckband? pic.twitter.com/VTpVoDsnbX
— Peter Kavanagh (@TheKavOfficial) May 30, 2016
*handclap emoji*