Moonlit Dreamer Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 Hello everyone! I work overnight with the general public (Many of them are quite intoxicated.), and I have to deal with a lot of rude and malicious people. How do you handle a situation where you are put down and treated like garbage? I use the 'kill them with kindness' method, but after a while it's extremely difficult to force a smile and be nice to these people. How do you block it out and ignore them? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyclonus X-1 Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 I say "My kind!" and embrace them as comrades! Join us, LG, and smite the polite and the generous! :madra: 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Analog Cub Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 I slaughter them and feast on their entrails. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue J Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 Honestly, I would say that you're doing the best that you can do, to kill them with kindness, as you say. But there's no reason that you have to be exceedingly kind to them. Working with the general public is always dicey, but especially if they're drunk and obnoxious, you don't have to keep smiling a big smile at an obnoxious asshat like that. Self-preservation has to win out. So if you're doing your job and doing it well, don't knock yourself out to be especially nice to a drunken dickhead. You won't be faulted for that. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonlit Dreamer Posted February 9, 2015 Author Share Posted February 9, 2015 Working with the general public is always dicey, but especially if they're drunk and obnoxious, you don't have to keep smiling a big smile at an obnoxious asshat like that. :D I guess you're right... I should be nice to the customer, but not to the point where they take advantage of my kindness. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonlit Dreamer Posted February 9, 2015 Author Share Posted February 9, 2015 I say "My kind!" and embrace them as comrades! Join us, LG, and smite the polite and the generous! :madra: Aye. :madra: 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonlit Dreamer Posted February 9, 2015 Author Share Posted February 9, 2015 I slaughter them and feast on their entrails. Haha! I'd like to keep my job though. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EagleMoon Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 This is why I don't work with the public anymore. I just wanted to hit people sometimes not that I ever did. Especially if you're dealing with people that are drinking. Not the best place to be. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonlit Dreamer Posted February 9, 2015 Author Share Posted February 9, 2015 This is why I don't work with the public anymore. I just wanted to hit people sometimes not that I ever did. Especially if you're dealing with people that are drinking. Not the best place to be. I feel exactly the same way. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonlit Dreamer Posted February 9, 2015 Author Share Posted February 9, 2015 I am grateful for all who replied to my topic, because I was feeling very nervous about working tonight. After reading everyone's replies, I feel much better! So thank you. :) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bathory Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 I leave my dignity at the door when I go to work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bathory Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 and other than at work I rarely come into contact with rude people Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xanadu Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 This is why I don't work with the public anymore. I just wanted to hit people sometimes not that I ever did. Especially if you're dealing with people that are drinking. Not the best place to be. I had to get out of doing customer service-type work for that reason. The customer is not always right. Whoever said that must be out of business by now from giving in to every customer's every demand. You have to know when to tell them no, it's not happening, unless you want to go bankrupt. I found that when you do that, they are less inclined to try to walk all over you. I am not saying be rude, be polite but be firm. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mara Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 Working with the general public is always dicey, but especially if they're drunk and obnoxious, you don't have to keep smiling a big smile at an obnoxious asshat like that. :D I guess you're right... I should be nice to the customer, but not to the point where they take advantage of my kindness. When I worked retail and had an asshole customer, I found it quite helpful to give them the middle finger under the counter or otherwise out of sight. Made me feel better to be quietly saying, "fuckyoufuckyoufuckyou" in a way that wouldn't get me fired. And then, after they left, my coworkers and I would make fun of them and imitate them. Only once did it ever get me canned. It is OK to think, "will that be all today, you come-guzzling gutter slut?" It is not OK to say it. Really, though, it was kind of worth getting fired from that $5/hour drudgery. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Principled Man Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 (edited) Hello everyone! I work overnight with the general public (Many of them are quite intoxicated.), and I have to deal with a lot of rude and malicious people. How do you handle a situation where you are put down and treated like garbage? I use the 'kill them with kindness' method, but after a while it's extremely difficult to force a smile and be nice to these people. How do you block it out and ignore them? Thanks. 1. Be a professional at all times. Do not sink to their level. 2. NO ONE has the right to insult or abuse you. Let the customer know this in very clear terms. Let the customer know that you will refuse service to him/her if the abuse continues. Let the customer know that the police will be called if it continues. 3. Inform your supervisor immediately, and make it known that you will not tolerate the abuse. If your employer doesn't support you, then find a new employer ASAP. 4. Be ready to call the police at all times, and DO IT if it becomes necessary. But Be Careful. If there is any chance that these rude and abusive customers would physically assault you, then you should be very cautious. Get your supervisor on the spot. Get on the intercom and call for Security. Protect yourself. Edited February 9, 2015 by Principled Man 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonlit Dreamer Posted February 9, 2015 Author Share Posted February 9, 2015 This is why I don't work with the public anymore. I just wanted to hit people sometimes not that I ever did. Especially if you're dealing with people that are drinking. Not the best place to be. I had to get out of doing customer service-type work for that reason. The customer is not always right. Whoever said that must be out of business by now from giving in to every customer's every demand. You have to know when to tell them no, it's not happening, unless you want to go bankrupt. I found that when you do that, they are less inclined to try to walk all over you. I am not saying be rude, be polite but be firm. I totally agree with you. I had a woman yell at me last night because we were out of a product. "Every night it's a problem. I'm going to report you to the manager." I kindly offered to call my manager, which I did... and she argued with them, even. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonlit Dreamer Posted February 9, 2015 Author Share Posted February 9, 2015 Working with the general public is always dicey, but especially if they're drunk and obnoxious, you don't have to keep smiling a big smile at an obnoxious asshat like that. :D I guess you're right... I should be nice to the customer, but not to the point where they take advantage of my kindness. When I worked retail and had an asshole customer, I found it quite helpful to give them the middle finger under the counter or otherwise out of sight. Made me feel better to be quietly saying, "fuckyoufuckyoufuckyou" in a way that wouldn't get me fired. And then, after they left, my coworkers and I would make fun of them and imitate them.Only once did it ever get me canned. It is OK to think, "will that be all today, you come-guzzling gutter slut?" It is not OK to say it. Really, though, it was kind of worth getting fired from that $5/hour drudgery. Five dollars per hour? That's terrible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonlit Dreamer Posted February 9, 2015 Author Share Posted February 9, 2015 Hello everyone! I work overnight with the general public (Many of them are quite intoxicated.), and I have to deal with a lot of rude and malicious people. How do you handle a situation where you are put down and treated like garbage? I use the 'kill them with kindness' method, but after a while it's extremely difficult to force a smile and be nice to these people. How do you block it out and ignore them? Thanks. 1. Be a professional at all times. Do not sink to their level. 2. NO ONE has the right to insult or abuse you. Let the customer know this in very clear terms. Let the customer know that you will refuse service to him/her if the abuse continues. Let the customer know that the police will be called if it continues. 3. Inform your supervisor immediately, and make it known that you will not tolerate the abuse. If your employer doesn't support you, then find a new employer ASAP. 4. Be ready to call the police at all times, and DO IT if it becomes necessary. But Be Careful. If there is any chance that these rude and abusive customers would physically assault you, then you should be very cautious. Get your supervisor on the spot. Get on the intercom and call for Security. Protect yourself. I've never considered contacting the police; I'd hope to never be in a situation that would require that... though I have felt afraid a few times. Lately, rather than dealing with an unfriendly or unsatisfied customer on my own, I've been calling my manager to speak with them. I don't always; only if they are particularly rude or aggressive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mara Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 (edited) Working with the general public is always dicey, but especially if they're drunk and obnoxious, you don't have to keep smiling a big smile at an obnoxious asshat like that. :D I guess you're right... I should be nice to the customer, but not to the point where they take advantage of my kindness. When I worked retail and had an asshole customer, I found it quite helpful to give them the middle finger under the counter or otherwise out of sight. Made me feel better to be quietly saying, "fuckyoufuckyoufuckyou" in a way that wouldn't get me fired. And then, after they left, my coworkers and I would make fun of them and imitate them.Only once did it ever get me canned. It is OK to think, "will that be all today, you come-guzzling gutter slut?" It is not OK to say it. Really, though, it was kind of worth getting fired from that $5/hour drudgery. Five dollars per hour? That's terrible. This was over 20 years ago. Now, if I ever reach the point where the only employment option is retail/dealing with the general public, I'll saw off an arm and go on disability. Edited February 9, 2015 by Mara 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Principled Man Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 Hello everyone! I work overnight with the general public (Many of them are quite intoxicated.), and I have to deal with a lot of rude and malicious people. How do you handle a situation where you are put down and treated like garbage? I use the 'kill them with kindness' method, but after a while it's extremely difficult to force a smile and be nice to these people. How do you block it out and ignore them? Thanks. 1. Be a professional at all times. Do not sink to their level. 2. NO ONE has the right to insult or abuse you. Let the customer know this in very clear terms. Let the customer know that you will refuse service to him/her if the abuse continues. Let the customer know that the police will be called if it continues. 3. Inform your supervisor immediately, and make it known that you will not tolerate the abuse. If your employer doesn't support you, then find a new employer ASAP. 4. Be ready to call the police at all times, and DO IT if it becomes necessary. But Be Careful. If there is any chance that these rude and abusive customers would physically assault you, then you should be very cautious. Get your supervisor on the spot. Get on the intercom and call for Security. Protect yourself. I've never considered contacting the police; I'd hope to never be in a situation that would require that... though I have felt afraid a few times. Lately, rather than dealing with an unfriendly or unsatisfied customer on my own, I've been calling my manager to speak with them. I don't always; only if they are particularly rude or aggressive. Night shift police officers always want to have something to do...... But seriously, if customers get nasty with you, spew profanity, and disrupt your business, that is disorderly conduct, and the police will take action. Once the assholes in your neighborhood get the message that your store will call the police, they will probably leave you alone. Probably.... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treeduck Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 A punch to the gut and then a backwards headbutt to the chin as they double over! 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LyndseyG Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 A punch to the gut and then a backwards headbutt to the chin as they double over! I like this plan. Simple. Effective. Easy to remember. Plus a swift kick in the crotch. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonlit Dreamer Posted February 9, 2015 Author Share Posted February 9, 2015 Hello everyone! I work overnight with the general public (Many of them are quite intoxicated.), and I have to deal with a lot of rude and malicious people. How do you handle a situation where you are put down and treated like garbage? I use the 'kill them with kindness' method, but after a while it's extremely difficult to force a smile and be nice to these people. How do you block it out and ignore them? Thanks. 1. Be a professional at all times. Do not sink to their level. 2. NO ONE has the right to insult or abuse you. Let the customer know this in very clear terms. Let the customer know that you will refuse service to him/her if the abuse continues. Let the customer know that the police will be called if it continues. 3. Inform your supervisor immediately, and make it known that you will not tolerate the abuse. If your employer doesn't support you, then find a new employer ASAP. 4. Be ready to call the police at all times, and DO IT if it becomes necessary. But Be Careful. If there is any chance that these rude and abusive customers would physically assault you, then you should be very cautious. Get your supervisor on the spot. Get on the intercom and call for Security. Protect yourself. I've never considered contacting the police; I'd hope to never be in a situation that would require that... though I have felt afraid a few times. Lately, rather than dealing with an unfriendly or unsatisfied customer on my own, I've been calling my manager to speak with them. I don't always; only if they are particularly rude or aggressive. Night shift police officers always want to have something to do...... But seriously, if customers get nasty with you, spew profanity, and disrupt your business, that is disorderly conduct, and the police will take action. Once the assholes in your neighborhood get the message that your store will call the police, they will probably leave you alone. Probably.... Yeah, my manager has threatened to call the police before, after a customer threw a beverage at me over the store counter. Haha... people really are that mean where I live. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonlit Dreamer Posted February 9, 2015 Author Share Posted February 9, 2015 A punch to the gut and then a backwards headbutt to the chin as they double over! I like this plan. Simple. Effective. Easy to remember. Plus a swift kick in the crotch. I agree... excellent idea! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamie Posted February 10, 2015 Share Posted February 10, 2015 (edited) I'm a teacher's assistant for the attendance office at my school, so I basically just write and run passes for parents picking up kids. I'm always polite but I occasionally get some rude people. I just try my best to be nice, but if someone goes overboard then one of the attendance office secretaries will handle it, luckily that's never happened. I just try to not let it get on my nerves. As annoying as it can be, you never know if they might've had a bad day or there's a lot going on in their life. Edited February 10, 2015 by thegirlintherushshirt 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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