Do you work in customer service and feel you can't take much more?
I feel so overwhelmed. I'm so sick of fussing, cursing, sarcasm and general negativity that I could scream. I'm getting to where I can't stand people in general. I've lost my ability to be sympathetic somewhat because I've heard so much b/s and lies over the years. I work for a utility company and believe me I've heard it all from a lot of the same "regulars" over and over again. I don't like what it's done to me in how I feel. I feel like a total b**** for my own attitude.
Anybody have any coping ideas??? I fantasize about just getting up from my desk, getting my purse and saying "see ya!" and walking out FOREVER. lol I can't do that. I have a 30-yr mortgage and family. Living in a small town doesn't help. No jobs around here. I'm very fortunate to have the job I do. I make pretty good but honestly it doesn't matter much anymore at this point.
Thanks for listening if nothing else. Anybody else in the same boat???
2008-11-23T07:33:44Z
I'm lucky that I have really good people to work with and for, ...but the bosses are very old fashioned and don't get it as to how bad the stress really is I don't think.
I really appreciatre all of the wonderful responses. I see that I am NOT alone in my feelings but I hate that so many of you deal with the same b/s. Really it sucks. I can't hardly pick a best answer. Seriously ...thanks guys for ALL the responses! I mean it. (((hugs)))
Anonymous2008-11-22T18:55:40Z
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Hello, just to answer your fears of wanting to grab your purse and quit, don't give them the satisfaction. I have worked in customer service for 90% of the jobs I have done. I still do customer service which I vowed to never do again due to the same thoughts you had and being stressed out so bad that I am now on medication for the rest of my life. I work for a very well known gas station. I get royally abused 8 hours a day. I look at most peoples bitching like this...for every10 people that complain about the price of gas, why are half the pumps prepaid and why should you care, your gas if free. There is always that 1 person that will make me laugh and forget about the rest of the cranky complainers. I have my regular customers that I deal with every day and or week that help me get through rough moments of the complainers. Another thing that may help you with your work related issues andyour every day stressful momentsis that I tell myself this, "Why am I stressing myself out over something or someone that I have no control over" and then I take a deep breathe and smile. I really hope you get some relief from my answer.
I've been working in customer service my entire career, now more than half my life. My only suggestion to you is to leave it all behind. I know, it sounds easier than it is. You just need to remember it has nothing to do with you, it's not personal, it's business. It's not you they're mad at, it's the situation.
I recently flipped through a great book called PostSecret, where people anonymously sent postcards to someone they didn't know with their innermost secrets. The postcards were then put in an art display and have since become a book. One of the postcards said something to the effect of, "when I get really mad at someone, I draw them driving to Ohio". It doesn't matter where they go, that is how that person found a way to deal with that stress. Find a way. If it's writing a curse word over and over and over, hitting a punching bag when you get home from work, or something else, it doesn't matter. Try a few things to see what works for you.
Trust me, if you don't find a way to hate it a little less, it will consume you and everyone around you. Leave family problems at the door when you get to work and leave work at the door when you get home. If it means driving around the block a couple of times to clear your head before you pull into the driveway, then that's what it takes. Don't let it overcome you.
Uggh I know what you mean! I use to work at this fast food place in a supemarket, and I had some pretty rude customers. I had this one lady call me stupid, when she gave me too much change and I tried to give it back to her. And then there are the people who think that because you work there, you are a slave and they can be as disgustingly messy as possible because that's ur job to follow them around and pick up all the mess. And then the one guy who ignored me when I asked for his order, like I'm sorry sir but I can't read your mind so you will have to tell me what you want or else I won't be able to help you.
I ended up quitting that job, for many reasons, and I am glad. But I'm about to start a new one somewhere else. I hope its not as bad.
I guess the trick is to find an escape. Try finding something that relaxes you. Realize that those people are jerks, and that everyone else who posted here know's what you are going through and there are many of us out there who you can go to to vent. Maybe start kickboxing, it can help allieviate any agrivation, and you can pretend you are punching the rude people you encounter lol.
You just have to learn to not let it bug you. You have to let it roll off your back but that can be hard. I really hate customer service. I'm only forced to work in CSR jobs because I'm a college student. I can't wait to get my bachelor's degree and just deal with a few people instead of hundreds that I come across.
I don't believe in customer service and I don't believe that the customer is always right. Most customers are really snarky and I really don't care about their problems. Don't quit the job until you have something else lined up. Honestly, you should get a job and then quit your current one. You need to keep that paycheck coming for yourself and your family.