[stig]

I work as a cashier and hate rude customers.

anyone else?

[T303]

I been there. I used to be a barista for 6 years. It will drive you completely nuts if you let it. Get out now. I will pray for you.

[sabby]

(((((((( stig ))))))) Customer service is a very difficult job at times there is no doubt. I've done some kind of customer service work for many years.

Some of the things I learned to get through the difficult times are -

1. Take each customer one at a time. No matter how busy you are, taking a moment during your brief encounter to smile and say a heartfelt pleasantry can go a long way in changing a customers attitude. Thus they are less likely to bite your head of (of course it doesn't always work, but heck...at least you can say you tried)

2. Most people/customers just want to be validated....it's easy enough to do and then they feel better and you feel better

Know that even the hardest ones to deal with are many times the ones who walk away and think about how they treated you and how you responded...and if your reaction to them was in the positive....it will speak volumes to them.

I know it's not easy to do....believe me....been there done that...hated it! LOL I prided myself on being able to turn an angry customer into one who smiled and said thank you at the end of the transaction....it was a great ego booster and put a smile in my heart!


sabby

[stig]

Thanks for the advice sabby.

It is worse usually right after a shift, which was when I wrote this thread.

It means a lot that people care enough to respond to my nonsense. The world feels so cold sometimes, like no one is concerned withanything but their immediate mission in life; like get eggs beer or cigs.

It helps to be validated: eureka! your right...

[cheetah]

Customer service can be sooo difficult at time. Here's my 2 cents worth.

Try not to take things personally. Customers are generally upset because of a situation. Your return policy stinks. You don't have what I want in stock. On and on. Even though the customer might be saying 'you' they really don't mean YOU. They mean the business and you happen to be the one standing there. Yeah it stinks. But remember if it weren't for the customers you wouldn't have the job.

I worked as a cashier at a hardware store for a few years while in college, and yes they can be very rude.

I cant stand rude customers. and the customers that are just as bad as the rude ones are the ones who are just stupid and blame their stupidity on you.

[jacq10]

yep I hear you.

but you know what the best thing to do is?

Give them a big smile, thank them for whatever they bought, and tell them to have a nice day.

They can't get mad at you for that, and you'll probably make them feel guilty for treating you badly!

[StarPonysMama]

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!

[Dawr]

I Absolutely hate dealing with customers sometimes.

If I get a bunch of angry, mean customers I start to get in a bad mood. I usually just sit back and laugh about the ridiculous things they do, but sometimes it proves to be too much for me.

On some days, I'll get a lot of good customers. The type who acknowledge you, and don't just bark out their orders. But other times, I'll get 3 or 4 people in a row, just absolutely miserable people.

[BalishBun]

I have worked in customer service since I was 15. I work at a hotel by the airport and I have to say this is the worst in jerk people I have ever had to deal with.

[Junerain]

Yes!! Double yes!! I'm a waitress...and when I approach a table, introduce myself, say I'll be taking care of you....they don't even LOOK at me just I DRINK COFFEE!! One time I gave a guy a breakfast menu and he screamed at me I ATE BREAKFAST AT 5AM!!!! Or where's the lemon in my water......when you're keeping track of 100 other things it's like I'm so sorry I forgot the lemon in your water but these people won't even get their food if I forget to put it in NOW i'm trying to remember that!! When they say 'thank you..and please..' i'm so relieved but that rarely happens.......

[stig]

i WORKED AS a waitor once and it became really discouraging for me to work there because I never felt as though I could do anything right, and everyone was angry with me. My boss wanted me to make small talkn with the customers but my mind drew a blank. I was creepy. I learned some living skills there, though.

Actually they can get mad at you for telling them to have a good day. Some guy started screaming at me to tell him my name when i told him to have a good night. Of course, he had just finished *****ing at me, and i hadnt really been paying attention to his ranting and totally ignored the fact that he had even said anything and went straight to politely sending him on his way by telling him to have a good night, but thats besides the point

[stig]

My job involves checking ID's a lot. SOme people forget theirs some people are just mean about it.

It makes me feel horrible about myself sometimes!

I wish I was laying on a warm beach and listneing to the surf.

they are stupid then, its not like its YOUR fault they forgot THEIR ID. Just tell them that your just doing your job, altho that seldom works, some people do understand tho.

[GoAskAlice]

<font color="purple"> </font> IRONIC... situations like that make me more mad than anything else!I feel like I'm going to die if I don't grab their I.D and flick it @ their face,,,,doesn't sound very healthy I know.

[stig]

wow. I do not really hate them that much.

Most of them are just exasperated, not malicious. It can just make for a long shift, thats all.

[sabby]

Hey stig.....are there big signs around telling customers that their ID's WILL be checked?? I know we don't tend to "see" them at times, and their lives are hectic and and and.....etc etc etc.

No apologies to the customers for doing your job and following the law. Simply state to the irrate customer that you are a law abiding employee and if they have issues with that to take it up with management or city hall. In the meantime, you will do as directed....all said with a sweet smile of course

Isn't it funny how people project their irritations on just the person who doesn't deserve them?? The swines!!

It's cases just like that where I learned to take one customer at a time.....not allowing them to have any control over the next customer experience. It's the ones who complain the most that look foolish in doing so....not YOU! Keep your head held high and smile.....it's catchy and gets you through the day!


sabby