Every now and then, you are bound to encounter the cranky customer in the Starbucks line who, for some reason, takes a tone towards you. Just the same, I am sure that you have gotten the finger from a car driving along the road with you at least once. If you work in any kind of customer service position, you do not even need me to provide examples of rude costumers because you have experienced them all. It can be easy to lose your cool and bombard the unmannerly stranger in a similar manner. Nevertheless, I have come to the realization that the only productive response to these situations is simple: keep calm and be kind.
I am not asking you to change the world or even change your way of being. All that I'm asking is for you to take a deep breath, count to five, and then continue with your response. This way, you will not just react to the comment and you can control your response. The reason why I'm saying this is not only because of the ubiquitous excuse of, "You never know what someone is going through," but also because by falling down to the person's level, one creates a cycle.
It is hard to imagine the realm of possibilities of what is going through a stranger’s mind. They could have just gone through a break up, failed a test, or experienced the death of a family member. Everyone has their off days and it is easier to simply let the comments slide than to create a mountain out of a mole hill. Some people excuse their own or someone else’s behavior by claiming that it is merely their personality. I hate this excuse just as much as the next person, but it is important to understand that both justifications are not the same. The first is a matter of circumstance, while the second is a matter of continuous attitude.
The issue that arises from responding negatively to the comments is that it creates a chain of events. Once you stoop down to that level, you will upset the other person even more. Although it sounds unfair, controlling your words will ultimately be more beneficial to yourself as well. Furthermore, responding negatively creates an undesirable atmosphere. Co-workers or bystanders will listen to the conversation and, consequently, go through their day with a poorer outlook. One just has to remember to always be the "bigger person."
University campuses are breeding pools for stressed youths. As a college student, I can certainly relate to being in a miserable mood after spending all night at Marston Library, attending my 8:00 a.m. class, and still being unprepared for my exam at 8:20 p.m. We have to comprehend that we are exposed to people who are facing a lot of pressure and stress and it is sometimes easier to take it out on others. Furthermore, the pressure to do well in school, alongside all of the other stressors that being in college causes, can often lead to anxiety or mental health issues. Students experiencing such situations might not mean to offend you with their actions and can frequently react deleteriously if responded to with an adverse approach.
I ask for everyone to just try to control their reactions. It can sometimes be harder than it seems, but with practice and resistance, it is easy to encourage a welcoming and approachable society. A simple smile to a stranger or a calm response to a worked up customer could change someone’s day. Just like we were all taught in kindergarten, it is imperative to treat others how you want to be treated.
