Before I get started, I want to say that I’ve been in customer service jobs for a lot of my working life. There are rude customers. I get it.
That doesn’t give you the right to be rude.
You are usually the first person that a customer talks to when they enter the store, and you have the power to influence their perspective of that company.
I know it’s easy to snap at people that are treating you poorly, but you are being paid to provide good customer service. It’s hard because you are a person with feelings too, but in this job, having a thick skin is what it’s all about.
On the other hand, being rude to customers that aren’t being rude is not okay. You become the joke or topic of conversation with their friends.
I understand that you could be having a bad day, but that’s your job to put on a smile and be friendly.
When you’re rude to customers, you don’t know what’s going on in their lives. Maybe their husband just got into a motorcycle accident or their son is really sick. You don’t know what’s happening, and being a friendly face in their day may just lift their spirits.
When you’re dealing with someone who is being rude, you have to be the bigger person. If you are rude back, the customer can use that to get free stuff from the company and you’re in hot water. It is your job to be friendly and helpful.
It might not be easy but that is what you’re being paid for.
