I've been working at a movie theater for almost two years now, and even though there are plenty of other examples of customer service jobs, I'm still shocked at how rude people have been to me for no reason at all.
I typically work at the guest services desk for the most part, so naturally, that's where all the complaints or issues are directed. Most of the time, people are understanding in terms of recognizing that prices of food and tickets and technological issues are out of my control and that I am just a worker sitting at a desk and doing my job, trying my best to make sure that they aren't upset.
However, the positive instances of my interactions with people are far outweighed by the negative ones. I can't even count the number of times somebody has been rude to me from the minute they walk in. I smile at them, say "hi" or "good morning" or at least something to acknowledge their existence. Most smile back, but others immediately either walk right by me or dive right into complaining about something.
When something doesn't go your way, fine, I understand that you are upset and you have the right to be. But you don't have the right to take it out on the worker who is delivering the news or who just happens to be the closest worker to complain to.
They are just doing their job, so you freaking out and yelling at them isn't doing anything except causing a scene and making you look immature for throwing a tantrum over the smallest things.
We all have bad days. And I have definitely been one to lash out at my family or friends if I'm in a bad mood, despite it not being their fault. Not that this is okay, but it's even less okay to lash out at a complete stranger who is just there to work and who hasn't done anything at all to you.
People don't seem to understand that one negative comment can change a worker's entire mood. It doesn't matter how many compliments they've received that day or how many happy or nice people they've encountered, the minute someone is rude to them and lashes out at them for something that's not their fault, that 's all that they will remember.
I can't pinpoint a really nice thing that someone has said to me, but I definitely remember people basically calling me stupid multiple times. Just because I couldn't give them exactly what they want, or I forgot a nickel because I was so overwhelmed with how busy I was.
I remember being yelled at because someone lost his phone and I repeated the policy where he couldn't go in during a movie, and he didn't like that answer, so he decided to blame me. For doing my job, I was yelled at and made to feel stupid by people I barely knew. I remember being almost brought to tears in a few of these instances.
If you are making someone cry because of the way you treated them, YOU are the problem. Not them.
Even if someone makes a mistake while helping you, you lash out at them and making them feel stupid doesn't do anything except stress them out more. Most likely, they are already stressed out in realizing their mistake, and they do their best to fix it.
When they do their best and eventually get you what you need, you don't need to be condescending or acting like you are better than them by calling out their mistake and shaming them for it.
You have a right to be upset if your service isn't exactly what you expected, but if you had a shred of manners or decency, you would at least attempt to be understanding. The worker might be overwhelmed or new at their job.
Customer service jobs can be really stressful, especially towards the beginning. You have no clue what's going on in their lives, or how much people treating them can affect them. Just as they don't know what's going on in your life, but they still do their best to be nice and make sure that you get what you need.
As a customer service worker, I have learned that despite my mood or the day I've had, I should be able to put on a smile and be kind to the customers that I interact with. Because I know that it's just human decency to be kind to people who haven't done anything to you. I just wish everyone else could do the same.
