Trying to flap the unflappable

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So, a couple of days ago, I had to call and talk to a financial aid person at the University of Utah. This conversation ensued:

financial aid guy: Have you filled out the FERPA release online?
me: No, I don't think I have.
fag: Alright, go ahead and log into your Campus Information System and you'll see a link in the middle of the screen that says FERPA. Let me know when you've found it.
me: Ok. [moments later] Found it.
fag: Great. Go ahead and enter a PIN there and then, if you want to list anyone else to give them access to your information you can. If you have, say, a parent or a wife you want to be able to call and get information.
me: That's awfully heteronormative of you. How do you know I don't have a husband?
fag: Oh, yeah, if you have a life partner, feel free to put them in there.

I proceeded to laugh and assure him that I was joking. But, I was impressed how quickly he could come up with "life partner". Though, I wonder, also, is life partner really equivalent to wife? I mean, marriage licenses aside, doesn't it seem like it would take longer for someone to become a life partner, perhaps years, rather than the minutes it takes to make someone your wife?

Also, a fair warning to all future customer service people: if you keep me waiting, I will try to make things slightly uncomfortable for you. I know, I know, it's not your fault, but it'll mostly be through jokes like this. So, really, no lasting damage.

2 comments:

daine said...

think that "life partner" is equivalent to "wife," even though it perhaps takes longer to earn the title of "partner." Ideally, it should take a while to make someone a wife or husband, even if--especially in our culture--it doesn't. I'd have no problem with a homosexual couple claiming each other as life partners from day one of their relationship, even if they know it won't last.

Nicole said...

I don't mean to be rude but when I don't keep in good verbal contact with you, I need you to update your blog more often. Please consider. Lots of love, Nicole

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