I actually mean it, too. I worked in the public for years in customer/client facing roles, handling some truly difficult situations and angry people on a regular basis for many years. Because of this, I’ve had clients and customers open up and trust me with things that were completely unexpected— I recall one banking c…

Typically told to me by someone blue color.

Fucking lawyers, can’t even break their rants into paragraphs.

It’s amazing to me how many people in these comments simply wish we were automatons in our daily lives.  It’s like solipsism is a desired state!

Do you know a good way to fail in the service industry?  Not giving a shit about your customers.

Not speaking for Cane3... But I’d rather have no interaction than forced, scripted interaction (at best).

Um... If they tell the same joke to every server... They don’t see you as a person. They see you as something for them to toy with.

Don’t treat interactions with service people like its a comedy routine. Just interact with them in a polite direct way, and don’t be an asshole about it. 

For me, and I imagine others like me (but maybe not, maybe I’m strange), I dont actually want social interaction. I’m perfectly fine sitting in my office doing my job and not talking to anyone all day. I could never do retail because my personality is not compatible with dealing with people, even nice ones, all day…

Today I Learned that instead of trying to make small talk with individuals I need to either A) Spend my free time creating amazing nuanced jokes for every interaction I might have so I can be entertaining to anyone I meet. or B) Say nothing and be an aloof asshole.

I feel like these articles are literal no wins for…

Or any creative field.  That and the offer to have you work for free for “experience” or “exposure” .... to prepare you for the future where people also won’t want to pay.

It’s not solid in today’s world where everyone walks around with sticks up their....anywho I was with my 70 year old father, who’s been cracking that joke 60 years at least, and a cashier immediately said she was gonna call the FBI on him, because that’s not funny. She claimed he was going go to prison for even…

My husband every time we go to Starbucks:..

Oh, JFC. In almost EVERY single one of these scenarios, it would be perfectly socially and professionally acceptable to say “Like I haven’t heard that 15 times today!” and flip the banter.

Sounds like you got the shaft. 

Yes!

I’m just happy that some customers can take the time to crack a joke, even if it’s bad, common or oft-repeated, rather than than complain or show no personality of any kind.

Now I’m in the elevator industry and about once a week I get “I bet that has its ups and downs.”

I can understand objecting to the insulting stuff, like the leering guy at the car show asking if the girl at the display comes with the car. But in the main this is like complaining “This guy came up to the checkout counter and said ‘How’s it goin’?’ when in fact he doesn’t even know me.” The purpose of this kind of…

What makes for an interesting reddit thread makes for (another) whiny Lifehacker article. 🙄 Consider articles that move your audience to be patient. I propose such a lifehack would lead to a happier practitioner.