I work in a call center.  I realize this is not the best place to avoid bearing the brunt of customer complaints and frustrations, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it.  Here’s the thing, I’ve been dealing with a lot of run around lately at school and with one of the hospitals that treated me last year.  I have spent a lot of time in the last few weeks trying to square things up with various departments at UNC.  It is an exercise in inanity, to be quite frank.  However, I realize that this does not give me the right to be rude to the person who answers the phone, say the 7th time I call the Financial Aid office over the last two weeks.  I also get that being sassy to this person is probably not going to produce the results I want. 

Bank customers, apparently, have not made these same connections.  I have dealt with several super snotty people as of late.  Even before I worked in the call center, I wasn’t one to be rude to customer service people.  I tend to be a pretty mellow gal, and I definitely fall under the passive-agressive category.  It’s rare that I lose my cool.  The old adage that you catch more flies with honey than vinegar is true.  Since I started working in the call center, I’ve learned just how true.  The thing is, I’ve figured out that I am the one with the power since I am the one with the ability to refund fees.  If you yell at me I’m not going to do it.  I’m just not.  You might have the best reason in the world for overdrawing your account, but if you’re being a creep about it, I won’t budge.  On the other hand, if your pleasant to me, I’ll go the extra mile for you.  Sometimes it pays to have a good attitude.  Be kind.  Even if you don’t get what you want, you can feel good about the fact that you didn’t direct your anger at an innocent person.  Just a thought.