"I'll Try"
By tentwo67
@tentwo67 (3382)
United States
September 6, 2007 12:08pm CST
It never really occurred to me until I was teaching a customer service class and read about it in the textbook, but "I'll try" is really quite a weak statement in terms of helping someone. This is whether you are being asked to help a friend, a family member, a customer, a boss, a co-worker... whatever! "I'll try" releases you from any responsibility to actually, in fact, try. Or, at least it releases you from having to produce results.
In my mind it's better to commit to some action, even if you don't know yet what the best course of action will be for that particular situation. You can always say, "Let me look into this and get back to you" or something that promises further action from you.
What do you guys think about this?
2 people like this
8 responses
@raijin (10345)
• Philippines
7 Sep 07
Well I do avoid saying such words which would lead people to use such against me, so I always say that "I'll do" my best!;)
Words such as these, are words of unsure and of trying to get away from direct responsbility. I always don't use the word, "I hate" as I'd rather use "I don't like."
@missybal (4490)
• United States
13 Sep 07
I just had a conversation with my husband about him using the phrase "I'll try." He's definition of when he says "he'll try" is maybe he'll do it maybe he won't. I hate that. To me if I say I'll try I really try. It's one thing if it isn't possible or if something happens in your life that you get side tracked or something. I'm now trying to get my husband to stop using the phrase "I'll try" and if he does say it I'm going to ask him every time what he really means.
1 person likes this
@badpenny (741)
• Lancaster, Texas
6 Sep 07
As a customer service rep for AT&T several years ago, we were always told to tell customers "I'll do everything I can to fix this", or "Let me see what I can do for you" when dealing with a serious billing issue, and "I'll have that done for you as quickly as possible" whenever the action was warranted.
We were also trained to put all blame for everything on ourselves. This has carried over into my personal life, and has been a source of much stress. "I'll try" may very well be a weak statememt in some situations, but it doesn't have to be deemed inappropriate. No one can be all things to all people.
1 person likes this
@dinxcarin (595)
• Singapore
7 Sep 07
At least when you say "I'll try" won't give someone high hopes that the matter would be solved. In some ways, it's giving a sense of directions that you are really going to make it happen based in your effort. Nothing could go wrong by saying that. Just be positive that everything will be alright.
1 person likes this
@aseretdd (13730)
• Philippines
7 Sep 07
"I'll Try is indeed a very weak statement if you are in the customer service business. In my country, when someone tell's you this, it means he/she won't or they just say this to end the conversation... it is like a polite way of saying I don't want to....
1 person likes this
@kevsgirlalways (5883)
• Malaysia
7 Sep 07
I guess people say "I'll try" to escape from having to produce excellent results, as what you've said. Maybe they're not confident that they can do it, hence they'll say "I'll try", because the word "try" there generally means no promises. like it's either they might or might not able to do it. So they can argue that they said that they'll try and they've tried but can't find a solution or something, and that they didn't say that they would or can do as per what's required. or maybe when people say "I'll try", they're just lazy and don't feel like doing that thing. .
1 person likes this
@swsharon4022 (6)
• China
7 Sep 07
this is always in my country,when person being asked to help to do something ,he/she always said "i'll try" whether he/she can do it or not.because this can give us a road when we are not done it.although this is a good way to release the responsibility, it hurts friends' emotion.if you only think "i'll try",you are only to try and you can not do it completely.you can say "i do it".it is not good for your friend,family or any other,but it is good for yourself
