Today is National Receptionist Day, the glorious moment once a year when we stop pretending that the front desk runs itself and finally give a standing ovation to the real heroes of the office—our receptionists.
You know them:
They know how to pronounce “Mr. Wojciechowski’s” name correctly.
They can juggle five phone calls, two deliveries, and someone asking where the bathroom is—all with a smile.
They are the Google, therapist, and office bouncer rolled into one, all before noon.
So in honor of this day, we decided to see if AI could step into their polished, expertly coordinated shoes.
Step 1: Let AI Answer the Phones
We had AI pick up a call.
Caller: “Hi, I’m here to see Karen.”
AI: “I’m sorry, I don’t know a Karen. Would you like me to explain the concept of existence instead?”
Off to a strong start.
Step 2: Let AI Handle Visitors
A visitor walks in.
Visitor: “Hi, I have a 3 PM with Dr. Patel.”
AI: “Processing… Processing… Fun fact: There are 7,391 Patels in this country. Would you like a list?”
Security was called. On the AI.
Step 3: Let AI Manage the Calendar
We asked AI to reschedule a meeting. It sent this email:
“Greetings. Your meeting has been relocated to the 32nd dimension. Time is a construct. So is your appointment.”
Effective? Maybe. Calming? Absolutely not.
The Verdict: Give That Receptionist a Raise
While AI can beat humans at chess, write code, and explain quantum physics, there are some things that just require a human touch:
Recognizing someone’s mood from their walk.
Redirecting that one guy who insists his MLM meeting is “with the CEO.”
Remembering everyone’s coffee order without judgment.
Receptionists are not just the face of the company—they’re the brain, heart, and occasionally the therapist.
So today, give your receptionist:
✅ A coffee
✅ A donut
✅ A sincere thank you
✅ And maybe don’t make them train the AI. We all saw what happened last time.
Happy National Receptionist Day!
P.S. To all receptionists: if AI ever does take over the world, we hope it remembers who kept the chaos at bay for all those years. 💼🤖❤️
Image by Rodrigo Salomón Cañas from Pixabay
