This is an automated archive made by the Lemmit Bot.

The original was posted on /r/talesfromtechsupport by /u/Remarkable_Degree252 on 2025-05-31 01:44:35+00:00.

I used to be a tech support representative long ago, right around the time when Y2K was a major concern for a lot of people. (You would have thought it was the end of the world, honestly.) Anyway, I was supporting the customers of a particular computer company when I got this call.

Me: Thank you for calling Computer Company Tech Support. My name is…

and so the intro goes. I get the customer’s name, and his computer’s information and ask how I can be of service. This, this-! was his response.

Customer: Hello? I got the television, the typewriter and the box it all plugs into. But, what’s this here foot pedal for?

I was stumped? Foot pedal?

Me: Sir, could you please hold a moment. I’d like to look this up if I could.

Customer (really nice guy, honestly): Well, sure. I don’t mind.

I put him on hold, began thinking. What was going on there? Television? Typewriter? Box? Foot ped- Oh, Lord, forgive me. It was at that moment when I threw my hand over my mouth and started giggling uncontrollably. I realized what he was talking about.

After taking a moment to calm down, I composed myself, took a deep breath and brought the customer back from hold.

Me: Sir, that isn’t a foot pedal. That is your mouse. It moves the arrow around on the screen so you can click the little buttons on top of it to open programs.

Then, I referred him to a community college course in his area so he could take a basic, computer literacy course. Sometimes, all people need is a nudge in the right direction.