Hold music

So Nelnet has the most aggravating hold soundtrack ever.

It consists, at base, of some otherwise relatively inoffensive instrumental music — light jazz and bits of other things. Every minute or so, this fades out slightly, and on top is overlaid a reassurance (by a confident, assured voice of alternating gender) that my call is important to them.

If that were the end of it, it'd be fine. Instead, I get to break out the Italics of Grinding Teeth.

Every so randomly, the above soundtrack cuts out, and a silence consisting of between 0.5 and 2 seconds will precede a slightly nasal female voice either a) adjuring me to have my loan documents ready (I don't have them; that's why I'm calling), b) informing me that there is unusually heavy call volume (no, really? I didn't catch that announcement the first two times before I was put on hold), or c) smarmily apologizing for the delay. This will be delivered at approximately twice the volume of the music-and-assurance track.

Please note that this implies that, irregularly, the music will be interrupted by Mr. or Ms. Confidant who will then be interrupted by Ms. Whiny. It is a neverending cascade of petty irritations.

The human being I eventually reached did clear the original matter up quickly and professionally, mind, but ... y'know, at that point, it really didn't matter anymore.

---

Edited 2008-12-17: fixed typo.