In life, we encounter many different social situations, some of which are a bit trickier than others. The dilemma that comes with this, however, is that there are a number of ways to handle a situation; and as we are always writing our own stories, it is hard to know which one is right for the moment. In my own experience working in customer service, I find that the importance of how we go about handling a situation can make a huge difference in the social interaction; the resulting emotions from the situation; and the efficiency of the situation. I'd like to argue that whatever it may be, how you go about it, how you do it and how you say it makes all the difference.

I work at the front desk of a very upscale gym. My main duties are checking people in and aiding them with getting in touch with the right person who actually has power because that person is everyone but me. I am fresh out of college, make minimum wage, and try my best to solve problems when they arise which is constantly. What I've noticed over the past six months working in customer service, is that there are so many different ways to approach a problem or question. Regardless of what is actually happening, I find that when people are pleasant and friendly, even when the problem has been long-going and they are frustrated, that it is more likely to get solved. I invest my empathy into the other person more because they're being kind, and the interaction doesn't leave me with a bad memory of that person that leaves a negative lasting imprint of their reputation in my mind. Instead, it makes me want to work with them again and help them out extra if and when I can.

However, this isn't always the case. Often, interactions can become exponentially dramatic and traumatic when dealing with customers.

When on the phone as a customer service employee, there are many things I am required to say. I first have to give the little speech thanking them for calling and telling them who they've called. I have to tell them my name and ask how I can help. Then once they ask their question, I usually have to ask if they belong to our gym, something that corporate requires us to do. It makes sense because if they are not members and I say we're open until 11 p.m. and they come in anytime past 8 p.m. wanting to speak to someone in management, they probably won't be here. Each situation is unique so I need to get the full story quickly and efficiently so I know how to help them.

A few weeks ago I had someone call asking when we were open until. I asked if they were a member, as I am supposed to. This person began yelling at me about how ridiculous it is that I asked that and how I can't answer a simple question.

I explained to him politely that if they aren't a member I don't want them to show up when someone isn't around to help them out. He continued ranting for a bit and then asked the question again. Instead of hanging up or writing his number down like I probably should have, I paused, collected myself, and with a smile said, "8 p..". The next thing he said in response to me giving him the answer, an answer he could have gotten much faster if he just said the word "yes" to my first question, was "What a cunt."

Now, as a 21-year-old female, I have never been called this word before this experience, but as soon as the interaction was over I felt its sting. I cried for about an hour at work and tried to smile as I told other members to "Have a great night" through my red, swollen eyes. Besides the obvious sexism, what really bothers me about this interaction to this day is that if he had just complied and said "Yes, I am," the conversation would have been over in ten seconds including my five-second thank you for calling speech. On top of that, our hours are the same every week, weekday to weekday and weekend to weekend. The only time they differ is on major holidays, and even then we notify all of the members and have the changes posted online. And beyond that, he could have simply searched our hours online and gotten an answer much faster than he did after screaming at me for no reason.

The call wasn't even necessary for him to get the information he wanted, but that isn't the point, the point is that this kind of behavior towards a service worker is absolutely unacceptable. This kind of thing happens way too often where I work and I imagine where other people work if they are in customer service. Simple, easy questions like "What is your last name?" or "Are you a member with us?" get rude, sassy responses when there is no reason for them to. The person who answers the phone at a business needs certain information from you so they know who to call to help you out. If you call, only willing to give your first name as a gentleman named Rohan was this morning, then are sassy when I have to ask further questions to send you to the right person, no one is going to want to deal with you later when you have problems. If you can't work with me, I don't want to work with you, random person who could literally be anyone on the entire planet. #byerohan. Turns out in the brief info I did get, he even managed to lie to me. Like seriously, why? What are you gaining from that?

One bad experience can haunt a person. People working do not deserve your negativity and bad attitude. People working in customer service work a lot for very little and have to put up with all sorts of problems that weren't caused by them. It is often a thankless job and people deserve kindness even if you are pissed or cranky. Your anger is probably for someone else anyway so don't take it out on the messenger, and when you do encounter who you are angry at, remember that kindness will get you further than anger. Always. If you can't even do that, fake it till you make it because humans are all equal, regardless of job title, pay, color, sexuality, anything. We are all equal and we deserve to be treated with respect. Really, be nicer to people working in customer service because they're literally just doing their job.