Working with the general public is so hard! There are so many people that I just want to run and hide from, or slap across the face. What do you do to keep yourself being nice? How do you keep rude customers from stealing your joy?
2007-10-14 14:20:26 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
Please don't just tell me "the customer is always right" kind of thing, that isn't what I'm asking
2007-10-14 14:21:08 · update #1
you suck it up. Seriously. Just suck it up.
2007-10-14 14:22:47 · answer #1 · answered by juliettavirgo 5 · 5⤊ 2⤋
I'm not sure where you live, because I think this kind of thing is worse in some places. For example, when I lived in California, I worked in a store, and the vast majority of people were nice. Also, most store assistants were nice and friendly. Then I moved to New York, and it's a completely different story here. Store assistants are rude and pissy all the time (well, at least some of them), and customers are snotty and indifferent. I think they feed off each other, making each other miserable. My advice to you would be just be friendly, even if it's just an act. If you're nice, 90% of the time, the customer will be nice back, and by the end of the day, you'll actually be feeling happy, and it won't be an act anymore. Unless a customer does something REALLY out of line, like insult you personally, then complain to your boss.
2007-10-14 22:26:55 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
The customer is always a fv(king a*s*s hole.
Remember that.
I've been in the bar business for 16 years. Even the nicest, most un assuming customer will eventually cross the line. Believe it.
What you need to remember is the only thing that matters is the money. Smile, play the game, get paid. Make sure that you leave all of it AT WORK. Do not waste a minute of your personal time letting their misery affect you.
And if and when (because it WILL happen) you loose the rag with one of them, make sure you make it good. A dirty look or a less than polite word is NOT going to give you the satisfaction you'll need at that point. Only total and utter humiliation and embarrassment will suffice.
2007-10-14 21:31:07 · answer #3 · answered by GazzaGirl 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I have a psychology background and I deal w/ general public a lot. I always think that when someone's being a butt it's due to some emotional scar they're suffering with which has yet to be resolved. Then I can feel pity for them instead of wishing I could jump across the table and bash their head in. LOL Oh my did I say that? (obviously I have my own unresolved issues :)...seriously though it does help. Don't take their crap personally, you're just a non-person to them and that makes them feel free to use you to take out their aggression/frusration.
2007-10-14 21:28:34 · answer #4 · answered by kaitee t 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I try to remember that they aren't usually mad at me, they're mad about the store policy, or they had a bad day or their shoes are too tight or whatever. It really isn't personal, and when your day is done, you leave all of that at work. Joy is something that is within you, no one can take it from you if you don't give it away! Another thing to remember is that people are only mean when they're hurting, so feel sorry for them and your anger will go away.
2007-10-14 21:26:40 · answer #5 · answered by bainaashanti 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Sorry. I'm one of those "it is what it is" type people. If it's your job, then you deal with it.
Oh, and remember - if it weren't for those people, you wouldn't have a paycheck. I know that sounds harsh, but it's the truth.
Try not to take it so personally. I am not one of those rude, irate customers. In fact, I go out of my way to be as nice as I possibly can. However, I don't appreciate the attitude I get whenever I come across someone that feels the way you do. I don't know if you ever take it out on customers, but I have had many - MANY - of them take their day out on me.
2007-10-14 21:27:09 · answer #6 · answered by Beth 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Roll play. Pretend you are cast as an overly kind person in a film. Pretend you are being payed to act like that.
You are being paid to perform like that if you deal with the general public where you work. Turn it more into a performance piece than a dread.
2007-10-14 21:27:23 · answer #7 · answered by American Spirit 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
i work in retail and i know what its like to have an irate customer. just try not to be so involved, if you've done everything you can and they are still being unreasonable get a manager or another employee to help you out. its not worth the trouble or the headache. sometimes you have to swallow your pride and ask for help.
2007-10-14 21:24:41 · answer #8 · answered by The C 3 · 4⤊ 1⤋
The customer IS always right. Put yourself in their shoes. When you are out shopping or whatever don't you get frustrated when the person who is supposed to be helping you is being smart alec-ey and acts like she doesn't care? That only makes the situation worse. Smile at all costs and that will help the most.
2007-10-14 21:23:25 · answer #9 · answered by Y!A P0int5 Wh0r3 5 · 1⤊ 4⤋
Just dont take it personaly. I love angry and rude customers. Just makes the fix better.
2007-10-14 21:23:01 · answer #10 · answered by goatslunch 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Oh, that's easy. I just remember I'm being paid to do it.
and most of the time, it's not about u, so don't sweat it.
Now, when I'm on my own time, it's a different story. I've started to take on the rudesters, one by one.
Who's next?
2007-10-14 21:24:00 · answer #11 · answered by gabound75 5 · 5⤊ 1⤋