Is there nothing that can make some people happy?

[alleen]

I work a customer service job and I get angry people complaining at me from time to time and sometimes their complaints are valid, but then there are those that have 3 or 5 things to complain about and they are all little things. I try to assist and NOTHING makes them happy. I can be as pleasant as possible even when they are rude and obnoxious and still that does nothing. I think there are those people who no matter how good things are they are just so negative. Why do people get like that? I have had things go very wrong in my life, I struggle but still I can treat those around me and those who are helping me with respect and appreciation and see the positive. What do you guys think? Are there just some people out there who are never happy no matter what?

[H20gerl]

There are people in this world who actually believe that others are impressed with just how pissed off they can be.
Like it is a badge of power or something.
It just makes them look like loons.
Don't let people get to you, just be glad that you have more going on in your life than to have the time to be pissy over every little thing

[socialsue]

Yeah, I know. I work as CS myself.
And it seems like you get 100 times the same question or complaint. And the first few, I answer politely, but if you are the unlucky 100th one.....

I just work by email though and have time to swear at the customers, laugh about them, complain about them myself and then sit back and write a very polite email back. If I would have to do this behind a counter, I would have been fired a long time ago for incorrect behavior!

[Martina]

Originally Posted by alleen

I work a customer service job and I get angry people complaining at me from time to time and sometimes their complaints are valid, but then there are those that have 3 or 5 things to complain about and they are all little things. I try to assist and NOTHING makes them happy.

It's been said, I think by Will Rogers that people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be. It's also been said, happiness is an inside job.

I think there are people who have just made up their minds to be unhappy, and take it out on everyone around them. They actively look for reasons to be unhappy, and others to target with that unhappiness.

I once worked in a home improvement department where I experienced this and ended up having to call store security to deal with them. This guy was tearing into me because he'd chosen the wrong plumbing part, which caused him huge problems, but it was somehow my fault, and I'd not even waited on him!

My Dad thinks they are just all stressed out and don't know any other way to deal with it other than to pick out someone to be nasty to. This is partly rooted in the vast commercial self-help movement, which tells us to get in touch with our inner child, and to express our anger, get it out, or it will build up and harm us.

I think blasting someone with your anger hurts you more than anyone else, and is one of the most poisonous things you can do emotionally, and medically.

[pitapie50]

Originally Posted by alleen

I work a customer service job and I get angry people complaining at me from time to time and sometimes their complaints are valid, but then there are those that have 3 or 5 things to complain about and they are all little things. I try to assist and NOTHING makes them happy. I can be as pleasant as possible even when they are rude and obnoxious and still that does nothing. I think there are those people who no matter how good things are they are just so negative. Why do people get like that? I have had things go very wrong in my life, I struggle but still I can treat those around me and those who are helping me with respect and appreciation and see the positive. What do you guys think? Are there just some people out there who are never happy no matter what?

I feel your pain kiddo.I have done that job myself.I too have wondered whats wrong with people?Do they need to be nasty?No,they don't.I hope you don't take their anger personal.I have been chewed out,screamed at,and threatened over the phone and in person.Did I do anything to warrant that?No,I just happened to be the one who answered the phone,it could of been directed at anyone.I have been in management,so when a customer is angry they ask for a manager is it my fault?Again no,I would let them vent and then we would come up with a solution.I was a pharmacy technician and people could be just as nasty.Usually it had to do with we were their last stop after waiting at the Dr's then waiting for tests and more waiting at the pharmacy only to discover their insurance is not going to pay for their meds.Then again there are some folks that just have their undies in a bunch.I wish them flat tires and chronic diarrhea for a month of Sundays.

[bridgetjones]

Well this site has just made me very happy http://www.myvouchercodes.co.uk/
Saved 10% on my shopping at Tesco and 15% on a cheeky little flat screen from dixons, happy days.

However, I can sympathise with your point. In this day and age people are becoming increasingly hard to please. Why....probably because they expect too much, and are therefore always going to be disappointed. We are losing site of realism, and the appreciation for the little things in life that used to make us smile.

But i am smiling now, If that helps :-)

[AllThingsBuck]

we live in a culture of disrespect, and certain jobs, customer service among the top along with phone operators, idiot drivers and anyone don rickles looks at, get extra crap because they are seen more as machines than souls. it is the one disrespecting you that has a problem by themselves til we buy in and disrespect back. i was rude to thoughts staff til i found out they really do care.

[alleen]

I never take what they say personally. I know when they are angry or upset in most cases they are just venting, unfortunately I am the one to take the heat for it. I am pretty good at staying calm though. What I was referring to is the person who, no matter what, if you solve their problem, or even make a nice gesture when it wasn't even necessary, they still find ANOTHER thing to complain about. It really bugs me, I just think life it too short to be so negative and not at least be a bit thankful for something. Hey you are alive one more day. Be happy for goodness sake!

[missmarie]

i have found in the past and present that when you are trying to get through to particular companies help desks that you are often left on hold for an hour or so, then when you get through you are often talking to a temp who cant actually help you with your issue and then you find that you don't actually achieve anything, sometimes i wait until i have a few things to ask before i call so i get as much sorted out when i finally get through, otherwise when they say "is there anything else i can help you with today?" i forget and then have to call again
plus, i always try to remember it isnt the person who i am talking to's fault that i have a problem, but quite often i have been spoken to like it is all my fault and i am disturbing them by calling, then i have been known to lose my rag, but normally if i am not getting anywhere i will take the persons name that i am talking to then ask to speak to a manager which usually gets me further.

but basically if i am talking to someone who actually gives a damn why i am calling and that understands i have been on hold for a long time then i am polite to them