I've been working in a baseball/softball concession stand during the spring/summer for 3 years now. I love being around people and I love my job, but every once I have a customer who it feels like it's their mission to push every single one of my buttons and ruin my day. My first year, I would let it get to me, but over the years I've learned to let it go one ear and out the other and to move on about my day. But even then, some people really get me and it takes me a little longer to move on.
Whenever I serve a rude customer, I have to put myself in their shoes and I have to remind myself that it's not me this time, it's them. They're not rude because of something I've done or said, but they're rude because of something they are going through and I'm just someone they don't know and it's easy for them to let all of their frustrations out on me.
Whether you work in food service, customer service, or you just come across someone who just rips you a new one, just be kind.
If you're having a bad day and feel like letting it out on a random stranger, please don't. Just because you're having a bad day, doesn't mean that you have to cause someone else to have a bad day too. Go get your favorite ice cream and take a day to yourself, but then promise yourself that you're going to wake up the next day ready to conquer and determined to make this day better than the one before.
"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." — Colossians 3:12