Used to do industrial sales and when dealing with a person on the other end and you need their help yelling never works nor abuse. Treat them and make them fell like only they can fix this problem even if it is their fault

I worked for Sainsbury's in the UK, one of our largest supermarket chains, for 8 years and hear you loud and clear. All employees started on minimum wage, and might get a pay increment each year, depending on a yearly performance review.

I never got to work on the Customer Service Desk itself, and wouldn't have wanted to. But as a shelf-stacker and till operator, I got my (un)fair share of abuse from customers who were pissed off because we'd sold out of an item that was on sale - probably the biggest gripe that I faced. Sainsbury's were very good in their employee training and we would often be able to turn a disgruntled customer into one of our greatest fans by offering to save the item for the customer when it was next in stock

At the time I was just starting to get into Buddhism, which helped me a lot. A smile can go a long way, and patiently and honestly explaining a situation kept me in good stead.

But then there were total assholes who just weren't interested in engaging at all.

I know this is ancient history now, but I saw something that applies here today.

This needed to be said, thank you. Be kind, period.

This! I've had a man raise his cane at me, been called a liar too many times to list, been waved over, fingers snapped at me, etc. All manner of comments and hand gestures intended to humiliate me by bullies that know they can get away with it.

In the past, men have "accidently" touched my ass and/or breasts, grab me by the arm or shoulder to keep me where they want me. make comments about how I must be in bed.

And I am expected to not only tolerate it but actually fucking thank them for shopping there. Half the time, the store management is treating the female staff the same damn way.

The people we interact with the most at work are never called "customers." One of the top best things about my job is not having to make "customers" happy. We're nice to people but we will not put up with nasty people on the phone. The other day somebody called all bent out of shape about something and one of the other ladies in the office said if we don't have at least one pissed off person call a day we're not doing our jobs!

You really do have to wonder about the intelligence level of someone that will call and scream at ladies that can take their money.

As a matter of fact, if you call and scream at us, we'll use every tool at our disposal to hunt you down and take your money! And happy dance through the office when we get it. LOL!!

There have been times when I am so pissed that I cannot hold it in. The first thing I do is tell the person what is happening and appologise for being so upset. It is the company I am pissed at not their representative. I find the person on the other side usually appreciates this, yelling at them does no good. I have almost always found caring for this other person helps as they have agreed with me.

I have worked as a server, a delivery driver, and a social worker. Some elements of the general public are downright sociopathic. I was fired from the server position for getting into a fight with a customer, who was so insulting that I had to defend my honor. With the delivery job, I had numerous occasions where customers would yell at me like I was a 5 year old, then when I yelled back, they would call the store and complain about my "rudeness"
And with the social service job, I ended up physically and psychologically burned out, by rude pushy psychos.
The customer is not always right, but is a fellow human being, who must understand that the customer service worker is his fellow human being, and being insulting, and launching personal attacks could get him into some serious consequences...including violence.

Wish I had found this when I first replied.

I have walked out on dates for being rude to a waiter or waitress at dinner. That's a huge red flag for me.

Amen

Lifes rough out there... it is what it is... its that way at high paying jobs... i was a utility foreman. I made good money but I basically worked for all foreman, secretaries, any prick trying to suck up to his boss. The security. Note: You got bullshit at every level. I try to be nice to all people. But i want to inform you that low wage jobs aren't the only jobs with bullshit. High paying jobs catch hell too.

Always treat customer service people with respect. Working in outside sales always treated grocery clerks, grocery managers and all managers with respect. No one should face customer's abuse.

I support a living wage.

To address the rest of your post; I think that the way people treat service workers in any industry reflects on their character not the service.

I don't know how I compare to other customers in that department, but I don't know that in the two restaurants that I frequent, my drinks always get refilled quickly and my food is served very quickly. Of course, I still wait during rush periods, but not as long as most.

I've also encountered my fair share of mistakes on the part of service providers, but I try to keep in mind that we all fuck up sometimes, and if you treat people like human beings they will quickly fix things most of the time.

I couldn't agree more. You are right in all you comments. I see this every day. I deal with it every day. I am in customer service but I wouldn't say that I am the best example of how to do it. I will push back on these rude and ignorant (for whatever reason) people who are usually entitled and self centered and that of course only encourages them to continue their attacks. I am not a mean person but I will stand up for myself and that has earned me the title of 'that mean lady'. Standing up for oneself = mean!!! A title that I am quite happy to own. I am fortunate in that my boss (business owner) while valuing the customer does not expect the worker to have to tolerate rudeness from customers. I am thankful that most of my customers are respectful and appreciative of my help. Lastly my co-workers, in the retail industry, are some of the most decent, hardest working people I know or have known.

I think most people build up a lot of frustration and hostility each day - work, family, existential angst, etc - then pick the easiest target to vent on.
Who better than someone paid to be pleasant like service personnel.
It's a dick move on their part, but then they feel justified because "I'm paying for this".
Now that it's nearly official government policy ( in the US ) it's only getting worse.
Seems many people like being assholes.

I've declined second and third dates with people who treated service workers like crap. It's very telling about their character and I ain't got time for it.

This my dear is why I said fuck it to retail a long time ago.

I get sick quite often because crew and customers come to eat or work sick. I think I have more nice customers than the rude ones. This old senior was rude. I got my boss, he was rude to her as well. He wanted free things without a purchase. He thought he was entitled and privileged. Seniors tend to think that when they rudely ask for a senior drink. "I get a free drink?!" No, you ask like this: "May I please have a senior drink?" So many elderly people are rude about it.

Very true - same culture in the UK and people in low paid customer service roles often have to use leave / holiday time as sick also if sick "too much" to be covered in work schemes /contracts.

Wow your experiences sound horrendous, sorry you've been through that. I'm not sure if people are that bad in the UK and Australia. I've found most people ok and just a few getting too personal in Australia. Or maybe that's just me. (Also you can bar them or stop serving them if you're in a pub, which is great!)

Well stated. I judge people by how they treat customer service and food service people. If tey are rude to them, or treat them as if they are less-than, I wash my hands of them. Of course, I tell them why and suggest to them they it is, in fact, they who are beneath the lowly customer service person.

A couple of years back in Asda (the UK branch of Walmart), I saw a customer who wasn't looking where she was going push her trolley into one of the shopfloor workers. "Oh, I'm sorry," she said - and then looked down her nose at him and added "What am I apologising to you for? You're just a shop assistant."

Fortunately, as a customer, I was in a position to tell her she ought to be ashamed.

People really do shoot the postman for the letter.

The only time the customer is always right is when they treat you right. Or if the commision on the sale makes it worthwhile for you to put up with thier crap !