Those Grumps!

I don't particularly care for grumpy people. Not that I don't have my moments. But when you're in the customer service industry, perhaps you should not be grumpy with, oh, say your customers! I know. It's a job, you don't want to be there, we get it...just don't make the other people you work with miserable.

So, you had a fight with your significant other. It sucks and it seems to be replaying in your head like TiVo. But, that doesn't give you just cause to answer the phone in a seemingly monotone manner, complete with heavy sighs if someone asks you to do your job (gasp!). I can practically see you rolling your eyes. I'm sorry...I didn't mean to call and interrupt YOUR day. Meanwhile, my air conditioning is down and I'm melting in the 110 degree heat. You're in your nice little air-conditioned office being a huge downer. Help me...that's what you get paid for, no?

I have a cartoon posted in my cubicle. It has a guy on the phone in a customer service department. It says "No sir, I'm not mad at you. I'm mad at the random act of fate that directed your call to my extension." I thought it was funny. Because being in the customer service industry, well, you are IN customer service. For the customers. And those customers can certainly be dicks! They also consider customer service to be their personal "bitch and moan" hotline. Like I personally went into their account and assessed a late fee? Dude, I'm just the middle man...don't yell at me!

AT the opposite end of the spectrum, those sugary sweet customer service reps can be just annoying. I call into my credit card company, not in the best mood, because they overcharged my account and now I'm in the hole and have a nice little set of fees to go with it. And I hear (in some sort of unrecognizable southern accent) "Helllooooo! Thank you for calling customer service. This is Becky. Can I help you please?" Her voice is so chipper, your ear is practically dripping with honeysuckle. Yes you can help me. Are you near a window? Jump out! I can just see a jolly lady with her blond hair in a beehive, Rosy pink blush circles on her cheeks, and a pin of a puppy on her lapel. She probably knits at night when she gets home while tending to her cute little mini-bunny named Cotton.