Mean People

Most days, I like my job.  Other days, not so much.  Today was one of those not so much days.  I got to work at 9:15 when I normally do and had to immediately jump on the phones to help out with the high volume of calls coming in.  I didn't get a chance to breathe until 12:30 when the calls finally started dying down and we had enough people come in to take them. 

My position as a supervisor usually protects me from having to take too many phone calls but some days are insane, like today.  Other things, it does not protect me from.  Such as an angry husband who came into the office today and demanded to know why his wife's book hadn't been printed, and were we software developers and why didn't I know how to fix the problem, and...  It was no bueno.  And he was mean.  I hate mean people.  I'm not sure why people think they have to be mean in order to get their way.  I'd much rather help someone who is being nice to me, than one who feels like demeaning you is a good plan to get what they want. 

Unfortunately, we are getting into the holiday season.  I say unfortunately because when it comes to the world of customer service, the holidays bring out the worst in people.  You might be surprised at some of the things that people say in an effort to get their way during this time of year.  I still get surprised.  Some of the most common are "You did this on purpose", "Now my children are going to think I don't care about them" and "I want to talk to your supervisor."  The last one becomes more and more common the closer and closer it gets to Christmas.  And some days, I wish there was no Christmas because then people wouldn't get so crazy mean.  Of course, if there was no Christmas, there would probably be some other holiday that would be as big of a deal so I'd still be in the same predicament.  All I can do each year as this time approaches is remember that no matter how bugged I am about something, I need to not be one of those mean people I don't like so much.