The epitome of really YUCKY customer service.

I've been a clothing store assistant manager (BIG CUSTOMER SERVICE), I worked for a delivery company that delivered Office Depot and Staples supplies to home order customers (that was CONSTANT upheaval and some of the rudest people I have ever encountered).

At first I would let it get to me. And it was rough. I had to go on meds just to deal with it all. Constant griping, whining, and harshness. And part of the problem was that the customers were uneducated about how the delivery/loading/routing process works and some of them did not even care, they just wanted their stuff when they wanted their stuff.

In the end..........I would just do what I could to help them and if I couldn't - I would just say I'm very sorry but.........and tell them why I could not accommodate them. And at the end of a heated conversation, I would take about 30 seconds and just BREATHE.

It seemed to help.

But yes, direct customer contact does sometimes really SUCK.

I say just have the attitude that if they want to walk around mad all the time that you're just going to be the happiest person there is. Don't let them get you down. Don't let their bad mood alter yours. Keep the upper hand. In a nutshell, "Kill them with kindness". I find this tactic makes you feel better at the end of the day!