i am not your emotional toilet!
By dloveli
@dloveli (4366)
United States
September 24, 2008 8:22am CST
I work in well known donut shop. I have worked in the field of customer service, in one form or another, for quite some time. Over 15 years. I regret to inform you that the old adage, THE CUSTOMER IS [u][/u]ALWAYS RIGHT, is a lie! I could have never imagined, in my wildest dreams, how rude, inconsiderate, and just plain mean some people can be. I think that there are some people out there that think they are obligated to disrespect customer service employees. As for customer service employee, That is anyone who works to serve the public in any manner. I am a cashier and counter help for a prominent donut shop. I have been cussed out and called many a name. I cant believe how entitled some people are. I understand that sometimes we ALL need to vent. A "please" or a "thank you" would make my day. I am not asking for much. TRust me a little kindness spreads along way. I cant believe how demanding some can be. We are humans too. We have families and bad times too. Imagine if the roles were reversed. All I am saying is that customers are difficult sometimes. I dont like to be talked down to by anyone. I only know what you tell me. I dont know you personally. Working for the public is difficult. Everyone wants everything when they want it and no a minute later. Be patient. You will get yours. A thank you wouldnt hurt either. I understand the point of "the customer is always right". People take it literal. It means that the customer is the most important thing. FOr the most part thats true. Until you begin to be demeaning or rude. You dont have that right. YOu have the right to receive you order in a timely fashion and as you requested. You dont have the right to name call or belittle. Its so funny that a customer always wants a freebee but never wants to tip. One hand washes the other. If the public wants consistent good service, be consistently courteous and polite. We are helping you. We are making it easier for you. We are not your EMOTIONAL TOILETS!!3 people like this
21 responses
@nanayangel (7879)
• Philippines
24 Sep 08
Hi there Dloveli!
I'm really sorry to hear that. I work in my uncle's beach resort as a book keeper so I am not supposed to directly serve our guests but when we have lots of guests and the other employees need help, I help them and you're right. Some people can be so demanding.
@dloveli (4366)
• United States
24 Sep 08
The demanding part isnt what bothers me. Its being treated as if I owe them something. I am trying to make a living just like they are. YOu know whats even worse? Most of the offenders work in customer service as well. They should know better. I just would like to know that I am appreciated. I dont think a simple thank you is too much to ask. We all have problems. Its knowing how to handle them thats important. dl
1 person likes this
@steve9737 (918)
• Colombia
24 Sep 08
I had a friend that worked for a call costumer service and she hated that work, I remember when she just got the job she was really happy because she really needed to get a job and after some days she got really upset and she told me that it was really worst to work there because she was being called names and cussed at, even some people was treating her, I agree with you about the consumer is right until they start being rude, I have never worked in costumer service and I hope never have to work in it, I don't think I would stand people talking to me in a rude way, I am tolerant when it is my girlfriend or someone that I love to, but I can't stand people that I don't even know to talk to me in a bad way. I think If I ever get that kind of job I would be fired really fast.
1 person likes this
@annmariethies (49)
• United States
25 Sep 08
Tell your friend she can talk to me if she ever wants to vent!!! I work in a call center currently. I'm surprised to be there for a year and still working. It is the worst job I could ever possibly imagine. Your mind just wants to explode and the words that'll walk you out of the door are on the tip of your tongue the entire day. I've came so close to just losing it sometimes. I feel my face get hot and I just want to look up their addresses and send them a nice "shove it" letter. It's true, if you work in customer service, never expect to be treated with respect. In fact, look at yourself as being everyone elses punching bag. Suck it up and deal with it. That's the only thing you can do. I hate talking to people about my job too because they never understand. They tell me not to take it personally but look people... I'm a human! Even if you're not rude, just dealing with ignorance all day drives me up a freaking wall. I'm trying to break away from it and find a job working with my hands or something. Just something where the only people I deal with is my manager and my coworkers. No more people friendly bull crap. So advice and you're correct, you never want that kind of a job.
1 person likes this
@Rosekitty (19368)
• San Marcos, Texas
25 Sep 08
Thank you Dloveli for telling it like it is..!!
I see this everyday with some people thinking the World owes them..well Buddy it doesn't...
Everyone deserves a kind word and thanks everyday as long as they are doing the job thats required of them and if someone needs to vent go show them a window...
I try to treat everyone the same way i'd like to be treated..now if they shoot something sarcastic to me for no reason then they will get it back..
1 person likes this
@savypat (20216)
• United States
24 Sep 08
Good for you, let's hear it for a little kindness and human decentcy. I know just what you mean, But I did learn early on that if people were rude or mean, And I responded with being even more kind, a lot of the time they would come back and
say they were sorry and would never treat me badly again. Want to see it that works for you. One Civil Servant to another. LOL
1 person likes this
@dloveli (4366)
• United States
24 Sep 08
I am so glad I started this discussion! I try to be as friendly and courteous as possible. SOmetimes I am so nice I make myself sick. I just think that people think they have the right to treat me how ever they feel because I am serving them. SOrry charlie. I am not the one. I have found that if you kill em with kindness(as I call it) they usually will come back and apologize or at least not do it again. I have always believed in karma. I am hoping that they do as well. What comes around goes around. Believing this is what keeps me going. THe idea that one day they see just how it feels is GREAT!!!! lol LONG LIVE CIVIL SERVANTS!! dl
1 person likes this
@veluchamya (4)
• United States
24 Sep 08
This is the case all over the world....Anyone who enters a retail store they think that the people working there are their servants and they behave like bosses...All are infected by either the superiority complex or inferiority complex....its the ethics each and every person have to learn
1 person likes this
@skaterx (530)
• Finland
24 Sep 08
I think alot of these customers have their own problems, like they are also treated like crap at work by their 'bosses', so they come around to boss around retail and restaurant staff, its very sad that people pass around this anguish.
Everyone should just be nicer and more considerate to everyone else, it would be a much better world that way.
1 person likes this
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
24 Sep 08
i can really understand what you are saying because i am also working in a customer service department in a large retail company... and this is my fourth years now going to be fifth... you are right... customer can be really rude and demanding sometimes... and when that happens, i had been told by my mananger that i have every right not to serve them anymore... especially if they had started to yell at me and call me names... i can call the security straight away to deal with them which i had done in the past... that's why i always try to be a nice and understanding customers whenever i shop because i know how hard it is to serve impossible customers... take care and have a nice day...
1 person likes this
@MissGia (955)
• United States
24 Sep 08
Amen Sista!!
I've been working in the dining/fast food industry since i was 16 years old and i've ran across these people time and time again. In most places you just have to tolerate it, and those are you usually corporate businesses. In my last job, i worked in a family restaurant. Not corperate and not a chain. My boss believed in the customer always being right, but she drew the line at rudeness and name calling. She simply told someone who was being out of line that if they didn't like it, don't come back.
We were always very giving to our customers when we screwed up, and we always owned up to our mistakes. But sometimes no matter how nice you are, some people still like to be mean and rude, and talk down to you.
At the same store a coworker of mine, who was prego at the time, was dealing with an angry customer. She was very nice to the lady and apologized and even refunded her money. Although she was being very nice to the lady the lady began to criticize and keep pointing out everything she didn't like. Eventually she stuck her finger in my coworkers face..this did not sit right with her.
She pushed the ladies hand out of her face and told her "look, i've been as nice to you as possible, i've apologized several time and i've even refunded your money. You can be mad all day about this if you want, but i'll be damned if your going to point your finger in my face and stand here and continue to treat me like garbage" She told the lady that she was done and to have a nice day.
Had that been a corporate resturant my co worker would have been fired, but luckily our boss didn't tolerate this sort of behavior from customers.
1 person likes this
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
24 Sep 08
I couldn't agree with you more! I have seen those people in action who treat others with disrespect because of a job title....every job is just as important and the other....we all work in a circle. The construction guy builds a building for some CEO...without that construction worker that highly educated person wouldn't have a place to work!!!! But some people can't see that. You deserve the all the respect anyone can offer and a please and thank you to another human being is only right!
1 person likes this
@tryxiness (4544)
• Philippines
24 Sep 08
Hello, I guess, the motto: the customer is always right does not apply lately in this genre.
What I am saying is that, plainly, everyone regardless of whether you are a customer or not, we should just treat one another as humans. Just like the golden rule say "do unto others what you want others to do unto you".
I also have to agree with you that it pulic wants good service then they should be courteous and polite (or as humane as they can be). 
1 person likes this
@skaterx (530)
• Finland
24 Sep 08
Oh I totally agree, some people are always so rude it hurts to see it!
I always say please and thankyou, its common courtesy. And to line up and wait calmly. It's a service for the PUBLIC, its not a service for one single person, people shouldn't act so selfish, like "ME ME ME!" all the time. Omg. I can't stand how arrogant and annoying some people are. They think they are the centre of the universe.
1 person likes this
@MOMMASAM (1004)
• United States
24 Sep 08
this is so totally uncalled for....that the public is rude and
demanding.
they automatically think you aren't deserving of a simple please
and thank you.
it's like customers automatically think they are going to be robbed
or get inferior product.
they bring our the heavy-artillery immediately.
on a little different twist to serving the public:
i have a friend who is a 911 dispatcher. she has a sign: I'm here
to save your butt; not to kiss it.
1 person likes this
@LaReni (8)
• Nigeria
24 Sep 08
My dear, its terrible. I dont know what pple think when they treat like sh*t. But my boss once told a customer IM HERE TO SERVE YOU AND NOT YOUR SERVANT!!. Haha. Yes we must be nice and polite but some pple are downright rude. But most important thing is to remind your self to do the best and you are no ones housekeeper
1 person likes this
@onelastshot (54)
•
24 Sep 08
Shame, some customers need a muzzle, toilet training and cannot be let out in public !
1 person likes this
@peaceful (3294)
• United States
24 Sep 08
The company should grow some b*alls and stand up for you fine folks by "Firing" bad customers! This happen a lot more that you might think these days, as employees are filing claims against companies and shops for "Undue Stress" and related illnesses!1 person likes this
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
24 Sep 08
What a good way to put it.
I have been where you are I was a waitress for many years.
and If I had to live on tips I would have never made it.
And of course all got waited on in the time they came in and sat down.
and I always smiled. Got orders right one hot to the table.
Only complaint I ever had was when I was a car hop and we wore knee britches.
and I wasnt into shaving my legs and one person asked if it was against my religion. lol.
think I was about 14 then . I did start later to shave my legs I just hadnt thought of doing it.
1 person likes this
@spyjob (214)
• Philippines
24 Sep 08
Dealing directly with the customer is a tough job, those you mentioned above happens in every stores. The old adage is strongly being followed because companies needs customers for profit more than the customers needs them. I understand your feelings but if you think you had enough of them, try to switch to different job which has less customer interaction. You cannot be an effective employee if you're no longer happy serving the customers.
@scarlet_woman (23465)
• United States
27 Sep 08
amen to that.
"the customer is always right now" is more like it.
worst thing big business ever did was give people comps by making a scene.
now a lot of people act up just to get freebees.
@deserve40 (1656)
• India
24 Sep 08
It is sad how people demand the services and how they are indifferent to the conditions of the service givers. However, I feel that it must have become routine to face such demands and such people quite frequently.
I think that one way to face them successfully is to keep smiling and just be prepared mentally that they are not going to change and they will go to any extent as they feel that it is their right to demand.Please do not take such things seriously or else your work will become more and more difficult. When we take up a job of marketing or customer support services, we have to be prepared to face such things as a part and parcel of the job. I do not mean to say that they are right in demanding anything and everything they feel good but then you will have to learn to live with that.
@msedge (4011)
• United States
17 Nov 08
I understand what you mean and i definitely see it because in our business we are also dealing with people.Oh yes, some are also hard to deal with it.I almost lose my patience sometimes but i try to control it and stay nice and kind.In business we have to gain customers but we don't need rude ones.We should make them realize that they are wrong even it will take to lose them.
